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.