Central AmericaCentral AmericaMexicoMexico

CaribbeanCaribbean

Names…Names…

Central America, Mexico, Central America, Mexico, CaribbeanCaribbean

ChallengesChallenges Data exchangeData exchange Intra-regional scientific cooperationIntra-regional scientific cooperation Science: Moving beyond routine monitoringScience: Moving beyond routine monitoring Increasing the number of geophysicists in Increasing the number of geophysicists in

the regionthe region

Solutions and ProposalsSolutions and ProposalsFraming New Proposals (Hazard, E&O, Framing New Proposals (Hazard, E&O,

Science)Science)Funding Partners & ContactsFunding Partners & ContactsIdentifying Regional InstitutionsIdentifying Regional Institutions

Lessons from AfricaArrayLessons from AfricaArrayEconomic drivers Economic drivers Mining and oil industries (provide funding and employment)Mining and oil industries (provide funding and employment) Only Mexico, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago have significant Only Mexico, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago have significant

oil industries in this regionoil industries in this region

Other driversOther driversMuch greater seismic risk than AfricaMuch greater seismic risk than Africa Disaster mitigation/earthquake monitoring are bigger concernsDisaster mitigation/earthquake monitoring are bigger concerns

Might provide similar appeal to Latino US students as AfricaArray Might provide similar appeal to Latino US students as AfricaArray provides to African American studentsprovides to African American students

Could frame proposals as minority E&O to attract US Latino Could frame proposals as minority E&O to attract US Latino studentsstudents

Capacity-building efforts conducted Capacity-building efforts conducted in-countryin-country, rather than in US, rather than in USDifferences—many small, diverse, far-flung countries, no South Africa Differences—many small, diverse, far-flung countries, no South Africa

BUT probably have greater expertise in the region than in much of BUT probably have greater expertise in the region than in much of AfricaAfrica

Data ExchangeData Exchange Appears to be a problem with concept of open Appears to be a problem with concept of open

data exchange.data exchange. Regional Data Centers vs. IRIS DMCRegional Data Centers vs. IRIS DMC Frame IRIS DMC as an opportunity to back up Frame IRIS DMC as an opportunity to back up

data securely, organize metadata, distribute data data securely, organize metadata, distribute data and metadataand metadata

Propose a multi-tier data release policy, e.g., Propose a multi-tier data release policy, e.g., data for events above a certain threshold would data for events above a certain threshold would be released immediately, other data would be be released immediately, other data would be released after 2-3 yearsreleased after 2-3 years

Perhaps tie other efforts (research Perhaps tie other efforts (research collaborations, communications upgrades, etc.) collaborations, communications upgrades, etc.) to commitment to contribute data under this to commitment to contribute data under this policypolicy

Challenges for increased Challenges for increased cooperation & data exchangecooperation & data exchange

Political issues –national autonomy, local Political issues –national autonomy, local operators need to “justify” their effortsoperators need to “justify” their efforts

Geography – many far-flung Geography – many far-flung countries/islandscountries/islands

Languages – Spanish, English, FrenchLanguages – Spanish, English, French Responsibility – need to avoid conflicting Responsibility – need to avoid conflicting

reports & event solutionsreports & event solutions Diverse, inconsistent “help”—training Diverse, inconsistent “help”—training

programs provided by various groups in programs provided by various groups in various software—leads to inconsistency various software—leads to inconsistency of formats and results.of formats and results.

Possible SolutionsPossible Solutions

Ensure broad participation – need to be Ensure broad participation – need to be inclusive of all stakeholdersinclusive of all stakeholders

Promote role of local institutions—local Promote role of local institutions—local networks, local geoscience programs, networks, local geoscience programs, gov’t agenciesgov’t agencies

Could IRIS support technical consultants Could IRIS support technical consultants to help with software/hardware needs to help with software/hardware needs (configuration, programming, design of (configuration, programming, design of acquisition system, conversion acquisition system, conversion scripts/software, etc.)?scripts/software, etc.)?

Increasing the number of Increasing the number of geophysicists in the regiongeophysicists in the region

Very few universities in the region offer geophysics Very few universities in the region offer geophysics degrees.degrees.

Lesson from AfricaArray: Education and training are Lesson from AfricaArray: Education and training are tied to development of BB network and are performed tied to development of BB network and are performed in countryin country

Start with internships and/or field camps (e.g., SAGE)Start with internships and/or field camps (e.g., SAGE)Potential funding sources: OAS? Fulbright? Private Potential funding sources: OAS? Fulbright? Private foundations? Oil companies? Can we get companies to foundations? Oil companies? Can we get companies to contribute to a fund that will support geophysical contribute to a fund that will support geophysical education without specific quid pro quo considerations?education without specific quid pro quo considerations?

Can we emulate the IRIS internship program within Can we emulate the IRIS internship program within Latin America and the Caribbean?Latin America and the Caribbean?

Who would teach at field camps? Where would Who would teach at field camps? Where would internships take place?internships take place?

Monitoring & Hazard Monitoring & Hazard AssessmentAssessment

Local faulting—large magnitude Local faulting—large magnitude earthquakes can be produced by local earthquakes can be produced by local faults—not just major subduction zonesfaults—not just major subduction zones

Need high resolution bathymetry for Need high resolution bathymetry for tsunami forecastingtsunami forecasting

Monitoring faults—need to know rate Monitoring faults—need to know rate of movement—continuous GPS studiesof movement—continuous GPS studies

Seismic gaps/risk (NSF probably would Seismic gaps/risk (NSF probably would not consider this a basic science not consider this a basic science question)question)

Research:Research:Moving beyond routine monitoringMoving beyond routine monitoring Central America is already a MARGINS focus site.Central America is already a MARGINS focus site. "models of upper plate deformation""models of upper plate deformation" How does subducting plate interact with over-riding plate?How does subducting plate interact with over-riding plate? Models of upper plate deformation and how it couples to variations in Models of upper plate deformation and how it couples to variations in

subducting slab (age, subducting seamounts, etc.)subducting slab (age, subducting seamounts, etc.) Caribbean puzzlesCaribbean puzzles Need to understand morphology of downgoing plateNeed to understand morphology of downgoing plate What is the origin of the Caribbean plate and what is nature of lower What is the origin of the Caribbean plate and what is nature of lower

crust?crust? Is Cocos ridge beginning of subduction?Is Cocos ridge beginning of subduction? Link between subduction earthquake and subsequent (several months Link between subduction earthquake and subsequent (several months

later) local event which causes most of the damage—need stress later) local event which causes most of the damage—need stress modeling. Highlights importance of local earthquakes.modeling. Highlights importance of local earthquakes.

Flat slab subductionFlat slab subduction

Assets needed/availableAssets needed/available Ocean bottom seismographsOcean bottom seismographs Long-term GPS monitoringLong-term GPS monitoring Need a pool of temporary instruments—seismic and GPS (partnership Need a pool of temporary instruments—seismic and GPS (partnership

with UNAVCO?) with UNAVCO?) Chikyu riser drilling ship will need another target after it finishes drilling Chikyu riser drilling ship will need another target after it finishes drilling

offshore Japanoffshore Japan

Funding partners & contactsFunding partners & contacts

National & Regional FundingNational & Regional Funding Mexico and Venezuela seem to be the only ones with a Mexico and Venezuela seem to be the only ones with a

significant "NSF" equivalent—but are unlikely to support significant "NSF" equivalent—but are unlikely to support regional efforts (outside their home countries)regional efforts (outside their home countries)

Mexico funds projects up to $500K— "National Council for Mexico funds projects up to $500K— "National Council for Science and Technology" – the problem is, once you get money Science and Technology" – the problem is, once you get money for equipment, that's it—no more funding for operations, data for equipment, that's it—no more funding for operations, data analysis, etc. analysis, etc.

funding availability varies from country to country but more is funding availability varies from country to country but more is neededneeded

Aid agencies (e.g., USAID, World Bank)Aid agencies (e.g., USAID, World Bank) Requests need to come from countries in region, rather than Requests need to come from countries in region, rather than

from US research communityfrom US research community We could help coordinate proposals and provide technical We could help coordinate proposals and provide technical

“consulting” for networks“consulting” for networks A project/proposal coordinated between a majority of countries A project/proposal coordinated between a majority of countries

in the region would probably be viewed favorablyin the region would probably be viewed favorably

Funding partners & contacts (2)Funding partners & contacts (2)

Electric companies?Electric companies? ICE funds earthquake monitoring in Costa RicaICE funds earthquake monitoring in Costa RicaAre there any new nuclear power plants planned for the Are there any new nuclear power plants planned for the

region?region?Insurance companies?Insurance companies? Potential for catastrophic losses is greatPotential for catastrophic losses is great

US-based fundingUS-based funding Limitations of research funding (US citizens, short-term, won’t Limitations of research funding (US citizens, short-term, won’t

pay for permanent equipment, not interested in monitoring)pay for permanent equipment, not interested in monitoring)

How can we facilitate?How can we facilitate? Perhaps as a matchmaking service—to connect potential US and Perhaps as a matchmaking service—to connect potential US and

Central American and Caribbean PIs. Central American and Caribbean PIs.

IRIS could conduct regional workshops to develop research IRIS could conduct regional workshops to develop research proposals of mutual interest.proposals of mutual interest.

Intra-regional scientific Intra-regional scientific cooperationcooperation

Need consortium toNeed consortium to conduct regional science workshopsconduct regional science workshops provide robust, documented softwareprovide robust, documented software coordinate data exchanges/archivingcoordinate data exchanges/archiving provide consultation for networks & provide consultation for networks &

equipmentequipment

CASC CASC UPRM/Puerto Rico Seismic NetworkUPRM/Puerto Rico Seismic NetworkCEPREDENACCEPREDENACSRUSRUMIDAS MIDAS

InstitutionsInstitutionsCentral American Seismic Center (CASC) Central American Seismic Center (CASC) Collects data—including waveform and phase data—from all Collects data—including waveform and phase data—from all

Central American nationsCentral American nations Univ of Costa Rica supplies funding for the one person who Univ of Costa Rica supplies funding for the one person who

works at CASCworks at CASCUPRM - Puerto Rico Seismic Network UPRM - Puerto Rico Seismic Network Has stable funding, established network, technical staff, Has stable funding, established network, technical staff,

bilingual personnel, associated with degree-granting bilingual personnel, associated with degree-granting departmentdepartment

SRU – Seismic Research Unit of the University of the West SRU – Seismic Research Unit of the University of the West IndiesIndies

Monitors seismic and volcanic activity in English-speaking Monitors seismic and volcanic activity in English-speaking Eastern CaribbeanEastern Caribbean

Has stable funding involving 8 statesHas stable funding involving 8 statesCEPREDENACCEPREDENAC Began as a scientific/technical organization but has lost that Began as a scientific/technical organization but has lost that

focusfocus

MIDASMIDASThe The MIDMIDdle dle AAmerica merica SSeismology eismology

PartnershipPartnership

MIDASMIDASThe The MIDMIDdle dle AAmerica merica SSeismology eismology

PartnershipPartnership Mexico Centro de Investigación Científica y Educación

Superior de Ensenada (CICESE)Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Instituto de Geofísica

Costa Rica Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica (OVSICORI)Central America Seismic Center (CASC)

Guatemala Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología Honduras Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Departamento de FísicaNicaragua Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios TerritorialesPanamá Instituto de Geociencias, Universidad de PanamáCuba Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Sismológicas Jamaica University of the West Indies-Mona (UWI-Mona) Dominican Republic U Autonoma de Santo Domingo, Instituto Sismologico Universitario (ISU) Dominica Dominica Public Seismological NetworkGuadeloupe Observatoire Volcanologique de la Soufriere (OVS)Martinique Observatoire Volcanologique de la Montagne Pelee Montserrat Monserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) Trinidad and Tobago U West Indies, Seismic Research UnitColombia Red Sismológica Nacional de Colombia

Universidad del Valle, Observatorio Sismológico del Sur Occidente (OSSO) Venezuela Fundación Venezolana de Investigaciones Sismológicas (FUNVISIS)

La Red Sismológica de Los Andes Venezolanos (RedSAV)United States University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, PR

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), NEIC

Work PlanWork Plan Conduct inventory of stations, networks, personnelConduct inventory of stations, networks, personnel

(Include detailed characteristics of instruments (Include detailed characteristics of instruments (type, short-period, long-period, BB, three-comp't), (type, short-period, long-period, BB, three-comp't), resolution of digitizer, how data are delivered, resolution of digitizer, how data are delivered, sample rates, etc.)sample rates, etc.)

Identify stations/equipment that could be upgraded, Identify stations/equipment that could be upgraded, repaired, or refurbished with a little money and repaired, or refurbished with a little money and then, perhaps, tie upgrade funds to commitment to then, perhaps, tie upgrade funds to commitment to contribute data.contribute data.

Hold a workshop this year to hash out science Hold a workshop this year to hash out science problems and write a proposal. problems and write a proposal.

Target is NSF's PIRE program, plus oil companies, Target is NSF's PIRE program, plus oil companies, and will facilitate proposals to USAID from the and will facilitate proposals to USAID from the region's countries themselves.region's countries themselves.

Station inventoryStation inventory

Need names & addressesNeed names & addresses

Please send email to Lindsay Wood if Please send email to Lindsay Wood if you would like to be kept informed you would like to be kept informed of progress of this working groupof progress of this working group