UK earthquake monitoring 2009/2010

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 21st year of the project, seven new broadband seismograph stations were established, giving a total of thirty broadband stations. Real-time data from all broadband stations and nearly all other short period stations are being transferred directly to Edinburgh for near real-time detection and location of seismic events as well as archival and storage of continuous data. Four of the broadband stations were installed as part of site-specific monitoring project around Oldbury-on-Severn. We have purchased a further five broadband sensors and high dynamic range digitisers as well as five strong motion accelerometers. All significant events were reported rapidly to the Customer Group through seismic alerts sent by e-mail. The alerts were also published on the Internet (http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk). Monthly seismic bulletins were issued six weeks in arrears and compiled in a finalized annual bulletin (Galloway, 2010). In all reporting areas, scheduled targets have been met or surpassed. Ten papers have been published in peer-reviewed journals. Twenty-two presentations were made at international conferences. Three BGS internal reports were prepared along with five confidential reports. We have continued to collaborate widely with academic partners across the UK and overseas on a number of research initiatives.