IRIS: Cornerstone Facilities for Seismology and Earth Sciences

0552316辛普森 地球内部仍然是一个主要的科学前沿，掌握着理解地球起源的关键，它通过地质时期演变到现在的结构状态，以及驱动板块动力学，地震，火山活动和地磁场的内力。 在几公里以下（钻探和侵蚀暴露的极限）无法直接观察到地壳、地幔和地核，主要通过它们与地震波的相互作用来研究。地震传感器设计以及数据采集、传输和存储方面的最新发展已导致内部地震成像分辨率的显著提高。地震研究，包括迅速和准确地确定地震源的位置和特征、震级和更好地了解有关的物理过程，也大大受益于最近的技术进步。对2004年12月苏门答腊-安达曼地震进行了前所未有的大规模记录，并由此对特大地震的震源过程有了新的认识，这清楚地证明了对新技术和全球观测系统进行长期投资的重要性。 联合地震研究机构（IRIS）运营着一个国家设施，用于现代数字地震仪器和数据管理设施的开发，部署和运营支持，以服务于地球科学基础研究，地震研究和核禁试监测的国家目标。IRIS项目由一个由102个成员机构组成的联盟监督和管理，该联盟包括几乎所有拥有地震学研究项目的美国大学。IRIS还包括越来越多的长期合作伙伴，共有2个美国分支机构，43个外国分支机构和8个教育分支机构。 IRIS的核心活动分为五大领域：（1）全球地震台网是一个高动态范围、宽带传感器网络，分布在世界各地，间距为2000公里，与美国地质调查局联合运作;（2）大陆岩石圈阵列地震研究方案（PASSCAL）通过地震传感器的贷款支持地球科学实验，（3）IRIS数据管理系统（DMS）收集、评估、存档和分发来自GSN、PASSCAL实验、美国国家地震台网以及其他国家和国际来源的所有数据;（4）IRIS教育和推广（E& O）计划使地震学家以外的受众能够为教育目的访问和使用地震学数据和研究，包括教师研讨会，学生实习，博物馆展览，教育材料和资源不足的学校计划;及（5）社群活动，以改善成员机构之间的合作，更有效地进行地球科学研究，并寻求地震学以外团体的合作伙伴，包括其他地球科学联盟、政府机构和国际组织。 IRIS E O计划在IRIS对更广泛影响的贡献中发挥着核心作用。 这一努力的其他更广泛的影响包括全球安全网在地震事件（包括引发海啸的地震事件）预警方面的作用，以及作为《全面禁试条约》系统的一个关键要素。 这笔赠款将为综合资源信息系统设施在2006-2010年期间的运作提供支助。 ***

0552316Simpson The Earth's interior remains a major scientific frontier holding the key to understanding the origin of the planet, its evolution through geologic time to its present structural state, as well as the internal forces driving plate dynamics, earthquakes, volcanism, and the geomagnetic field. Inaccessible to direct observation below a few kilometers (the limit of drilling and exposure by erosion) the Earth's crust, mantle, and core are primarily studied through their interaction with seismic waves. Recent developments in seismic sensor design, and the acquisition, transmission and storage of data have resulted in dramatic improvements in the resolving power of seismic imaging of the interior. Earthquake research, including rapid and accurate location and characterization of the earthquake source, its magnitude and a better understanding of the physical process involved, has also benefited greatly from recent technical advances. The unprecedented on-scale recording of the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake of December 2004, and the resulting new insights into the source processes of mega-earthquakes, is clear evidence of the significance of the value of long-term investments in new technology and global observational systems. The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) operates a national facility for the development, deployment, and operational support of modern digital seismic instrumentation and data management facilities to serve national goals in basic research in the Earth sciences, in earthquake research, and in nuclear test ban monitoring. IRIS programs are overseen and governed by a Consortium of 102 Member Institutions, comprising virtually every US university with a seismology research program. IRIS also includes a growing number of long-term partners, totaling 2 US Affiliates, 43 Foreign Affiliates and 8 Educational Affiliates. IRIS's core activities fall into five broad areas: (1) The Global Seismographic Network (GSN) is a network of high dynamic range, broadband sensors distributed around the world at 2000 km spacing that is operated jointly with the U.S. Geological Survey; (2) The Program for Array Seismic Studies of the Continental Lithosphere (PASSCAL) supports Earth science experiments through loans of seismic sensors, data acquisition, telemetry and power systems and through services that include planning, shipping, field support, data capture, and instrument refurbishment; (3) The IRIS Data Management System (DMS) collects, assesses, archives and distributes all data from the GSN, PASSCAL experiments, the U.S. National Seismic Network, and other national and international sources; (4) The IRIS Education and Outreach (E&O) Program enables audiences beyond seismologists to access and use seismological data and research for educational purposes, including teacher workshops, student internships, museum exhibits, educational materials, and programs for under-resourced schools; and (5) Community Activities that improve collaboration among member institutions to carry out Earth science research more efficiently and to seek partners among groups outside of seismology, including other Earth science consortia, government agencies, and international organizations. The IRIS E&O Program plays a central role in the IRIS contribution to broader impacts. Additional broader impacts of this effort include the GSN's role in the early-warning for earthquake events, including those that create tsunami, and as a key element of the CTBT systems. This award will provide support for the operation of the IRIS facility during the period 2006-2010. ***