[gldfs.cr.usgs.gov] USGS Central Region Geologic Hazards Team Finger Server. ---- Login name: qk_info In real life: see Ray Buland Never logged in. Mail last read Wed Jan 6 12:20:01 1999 Plan: Finger Quake General Information The list of recent earthquakes available through "finger quake@gldfs..." is a service provided by the National Earthquake Information Service (NEIS) of the U. S. Geological Survey. The NEIS is located at the National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) in Golden, Colorado, USA which also serves as World Data Center A for Seismology. The NEIS is a member of the Council of the National Seismic System (CNSS) which coordinates activities among the national and regional seismograph networks, including "finger quake" services. The NEIS is also closely associated with the U. S. National Seismograph Network (USNSN) and cooperates with national and international seismological organizations around the world. Unlike other members of the CNSS, the NEIS is responsible for reporting on moderate to large earthquakes throughout the U. S. and large earthquakes worldwide. Earthquake Parameters DATE-TIME is in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This is approximately the same as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) which is 5 hours later than Eastern Standard Time (EST) and 8 hour later than Pacific Standard Time (PST). Geographic latitude (LAT) and longitude (LON) are given in decimal degrees corresponding to the usual map coordinates. Depth (DEP) is given in kilometers below sea level. Six different magnitude types (MAG) may be quoted: Ml (local, the original Richter magnitude), Lg (mblg), Md (duration), Mb (body wave), Ms (surface wave), and Mw (moment). Since all magnitude types have been calibrated with respect to one another, the differences are generally of interest only to seismologists. Given the size, location, and available information, the most meaningful magnitude will be quoted for each event. Location qualities (Q) are A (good), B (fair), C (poor), and D (bad). The quality refers to the precision with which the earthquake location has been computed. A and B qualities mean that the location is quite reliable while a C quality can be pretty uncertain. Bad locations will generally not be reported. No quality implies a location held to the coordinates of another organization (e.g., a regional network with better coverage of an event). The comment is an automatically generated region name and can be misleading for earthquakes near region boundaries. Note that all earthquakes on the "quake" list have been reviewed by a seismic analyst. However, in the interest of timeliness, locations and magnitudes are entered once and not updated on the list. Differences between parameters quoted here and in the media do not necessarily imply that the "quake" list is in error. Small differences in locations and magnitudes determined by different organizations are to be expected due to differences in the information available. Also, in rare instances, substantial differences in magnitudes can be due to real differences in interpretation, procedures, and conventions. Additional Information Recent earthquake lists for specific regions of the U. S. are available from other CNSS members using "finger quake" at: scec.gps.caltech.edu (Southern California), andreas.wr.usgs.gov and quake.geo.berkeley.edu (Northern California), geophys.washington.edu (Pacific Northwest), giseis.alaska.edu (Alaska), seismo.unr.edu (Nevada), eqinfo.seis.utah.edu (Utah), sisyphus.idbsu.edu (Idaho), info.seismo.usbr.gov (Wyoming & Western Colorado), mbmgsun.mtech.edu (Montana), quake.eas.slu.edu (Central U. S.), vtso.geol.vt.edu (Southeast), ldeo.columbia.edu (Northeast), and tako.wr.usgs.gov (Hawaii). A recent Canadian earthquake list is available at: quake@seismo.emr.ca (in English) and seisme@seismo.emr.ca (in French). Note that some of the newer finger servers are temporarily redirected to our finger list. After earthquakes have scrolled off of the "quake" list, they will be available in updated form from the Quick Epicenter Determinations (QED) bulletin board. To access the QED, use "telnet neis.cr.usgs.gov", login as qed (no password required), and follow the on-line directions. Note that telnet is not like finger. In particular, you will need to interact with the QED to obtain what you want. The QED includes earthquakes from about the last six weeks and may be selectively searched. After six weeks, the earthquakes are revised with more data and the Preliminary Determination of Epicenters (PDE) bulletin is published (on paper). After about four months, the earthquakes are revised again with even more data and republished as the PDE Monthly Listing. For information on subscribing to the PDE or obtaining PDE information electronically, call (303) 273-8500 during normal business hours (Mountain Time Zone). Selective searches of our historical hypocenter database are also available. For information on this service, send E-mail to Glen Reagor at hdf@neis.cr.usgs.gov. Much more extensive information derived from the USNSN is also available automatically through our AutoDRM (Automatic Data Request Manager). Although this service is intended to provide USNSN waveform data and instrument responses for professional seismologists, it can also be used to obtain information about earthquakes, activity at individual stations, the network configuration, etc. To get started on the AutoDRM, send E-mail to: autodrm@gldfs.cr.usgs.gov with the message text: PLEASE HELP all on one line. Note that using the AutoDRM AMI command provides the same information as the "quake" list, but for a longer time period. Many other products and services are available from the U. G. Geological Survey. For information on other earthquake related products such as maps and CD-ROMs, try accessing the NEIC home page on the World Wide Web at http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov. Publication Criteria The list available through "finger quake@gldfs..." has become the de facto near-real-time bulletin of the NEIS. In order to make the "quake" list more internally consistent and better integrated with other NEIC products, particularly the Quick Epicenter Determinations (QED) bulletin board, it has been desirable to define formal publication criteria for the "quake" list. These criteria fall into two response time categories: immediate (e.g., within two hours) and 24 hour response (normal working days only). Note that the "quake" list may not be complete at the indicated thresholds if insufficient information is available to either locate the event adequately or to determine that it meets the publication criteria. On an immediate basis, all Earthquake Early Alerting Service alarm events will be made available to the "quake" list. At a minimum, this will includes most earthquakes in the contiguous United States, Hawaii, and the more populated areas of Alaska of magnitude 4.5 or greater, most other earthquakes in the United States of magnitude 5.5 or greater, and most foreign earthquakes of magnitude 6.5 or greater. In practice, many foreign earthquakes smaller than a magnitude of 6.5 will also be provided on an immediate basis. Typically, this would include earthquakes in Mexico of magnitude 4.8 or larger, earthquakes in northern South America of magnitude 5.0 or larger, earthquakes in central and southern South America and in the Kuril Islands of magnitude 5.5 or larger, and most other foreign earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or larger. Within 24 hours, most earthquakes in the contiguous United States of magnitude 3.5 or larger, most earthquakes in Alaska of magnitude 4.0 or larger, most earthquakes in Hawaii of magnitude 4.5 or larger, most earthquakes in the Aleutian Islands of magnitude 5.0 or larger, and most foreign earthquakes of magnitude 5.5 or larger will be provided to the "quake" list. Most earthquakes in the United States which are felt will be provided to the "quake" list on a 24 hour basis even if they are smaller than a magnitude of 4.5. Events in aftershock sequences which meet the 24 hour criteria, but not the immediate criteria will be included on the "quake" list at the discretion of the seismic analyst. Note that on weekends and holidays, meeting the 24 hour criteria will be on a best effort basis. Note For your convenience, you can receive a copy of this information by E-mail by sending any E-mail message to: qk_info@gldfs.cr.usgs.gov.