UK earthquake monitoring 2007/2008

The British Geological Survey (BGS) operates a network of seismometers throughout the UK in order to acquire seismic data on a long-term basis. The aims of the Seismic Monitoring and Information Service are to develop and maintain a national database of seismic activity in the UK for use in seismic hazard assessment, and to provide near-immediate responses to the occurrence, or reported occurrence, of significant events. The project is supported by a group of organisations under the chairmanship of the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) with major financial input from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). In the 19th year of the project, five new broadband seismograph stations were established, giving a total of nineteen broadband stations. Real-time data from all broadband stations are being transferred directly to Edinburgh for archival and storage. Near real-time data from broadband stations operated by a number of partner agencies in northern Europe have also been incorporated into our automatic data processing system to improve detection and location capability in offshore areas, particularly the North Sea. Upgrade of the monitoring network remains our primary goal. We have purchased a further ten broadband sensors and high dynamic range digitisers. Both the largest British earthquake in 25 years (Market Rasen, 5.2 MBLB) and also the most damaging British earthquake in many decades (Folkestone, 4.3 MBLB) occurred in 2007/2008. Local authorities invoked emergency measures for the latter. As a result of improvements in both data acquisition and data processing made over the last few years, data of unprecedented quality and quantity was collected for both these earthquakes. This included both digital waveform data and also near real-time macroseismic data. Nine papers have been published in peer-reviewed journals and seven presentations were made at international conferences. Eight BGS internal reports were prepared along with two confidential reports. Two PhD studentships, partially funded by the project, were completed.