A continental-scale seismic observatory
USArray, which is part of the EarthScope experiment, is a 15-year program to place a dense network of permanent and portable seismographs across the continental United States. The seismographs record the energy released by earth movements – from the rumbling of cars on the highway to the seismic waves released by the hundreds of earthquakes that occur around the world every day. By analyzing the records of earthquakes obtained from this dense grid of seismometers, scientists can learn about Earth structure and dynamics and the physical processes controlling earthquakes and volcanoes. The USArray facility consists of four major components: 1. A Transportable Array of 400 broadband seismometers is being deployed in a uniform, rolling, 70-km grid. 2. A Flexible Array of 291 broadband stations, 120 short period stations, and 1700 active-source stations permits high-resolution studies within the broader-spaced Transportable Array, allowing a range of specific targets to be addressed in a focused manner. 3. A Reference Network of fixed seismic stations ties together the Transportable and Flexible Array experiments.4. A Magnetotelluric Facility of seven permanent and 20 portable sensors, installed in conjunction with USArray seismic instrumentation, records naturally occurring electric and magnetic fields.
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HIGHLIGHTS
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