EARTHWORM AND THE POTSDAM SEISMIC NETWORK

The Potsdam Seismic Network consisting of 7 short period vertical seismic field stations is located in the Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence Valley in northern New York. The network lies in the most active seismic region in New York State: the northern New York-Western Quebec seismic zone. Many earthquakes of magnitude 1 to 4 occur in this zone and occasionally larger events such as the 6.0 magnitude Massena Cornwall earthquake of 1944 and the 5.1 Goodnow earthquake in 1983.

The network joined the USGS Earthworm Project in the Fall of 1999 in a cooperative effort with the USGS Offices in Golden, Colorado and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. The network is presently part of a world consortium of researchers and support personnel sharing data and software interactively via standard Internet Protocols. The modular Earthworm system is a synthesis of more than fifty years of experience and technique that puts the capability of a fully equipped seismic research facility within the reach of anyone with an internet connection and a cooperative partner exporting real-time data. Events and information are also available from world-wide archives in all standard formats. The Potsdam Seismic Network is presently preparing to install and test the interactive internet database that uses Mapping Tools and Graphical Analysis Tools to provide a full range of viewing, mapping, filtering, phase picking and other capabilities.

It is anticipated that with proper tuning and maintenance the current Earthworm Installation will provide the faculty and students in the SUNY Potsdam Geology program with new research and educational opportunities. The potential for outreach to the Earth Science programs within local school districts is also under consideration. The efforts in this direction will proceed as the resources can be provided.