CAREER: Innovative Seismic Sensing for Earthquake Analysis and Seismic Hazard Assessment

地震捕捉网络（QCN）是地震探测、科学和外展的一种变革性方法。QCN是一个分布式计算地震网络，将内部（免费，内置）或外部（低成本，基于usb的）加速度计连接到任何参与地震研究的计算机上。QCN的目标是通过利用传感技术和网络基础设施的最新进展，大幅增加地震观测的数量。这种方法会使创造世界成为可能吗？美国最大、成本最低的地震台网，利用创新的网络地震数据，探索地震断层破裂和地震波通过的地面反应。该提案将在地区K-12学校建立375个QCN地震站，并增加1000名公众参与者，以实现地震学的突破性发现。这项工作将解决以下科学问题：1)MEMS技术和分布式计算能否通过增加强震观测密度、改进触发算法和元数据生成以及创新的聚类算法开发，在实时地震学应用中产生变革性的结果？2)在小空间尺度下，震源性质（如滑动振幅和破裂速度）如何变化？观测密度的增加如何提高震源破裂模拟的分辨率和稳定性？3)逐块地震放大的变异性是什么？增加的地震观测是否转化为对地面运动估计的改进预测？通过让社区直接参与地震研究，拟议的工作将产生广泛的教育成果。任何公众、学校或社区组织都可以设置QCN强震站。作为回报，参与者成为一名公民科学家，获得最新的科学成果，并获得教育活动和互动软件。该提案的两个主要教育目标是：(1)提高学生对科学的参与；(2)增加社区对地震和相关地震危害的了解。为了实现第一个目标，PI将扩大和改进利用QCN传感器和软件的课堂活动，并向教室分发375个usb连接的MEMS传感器。此外，每年还将举办教师研讨会，向教师介绍QCN，提供教育材料，并形成传感器社区。为了实现第二个目标，PI将与地区博物馆密切合作，开发包含互动模型、地区地震危险信息和防备信息的展示。QCN软件和传感器是向公众介绍地震学的天然平台，因为它允许实时显示加速度数据。其目的是提高公众对地震的认识，使公众能够在地震准备和政策讨论中发挥积极作用。

The Quake-Catcher Network (QCN) is a transformative approach to earthquake detection, science, and outreach. QCN is a distributed computing seismic network that links internal (no cost, built-in) or external (low-cost, USB-based) accelerometers connected to any participating computer for earthquake research. The objective of QCN is to dramatically increase the number of seismic observations by exploiting recent advances in sensing technologies and cyberinfrastructure. This approach will enable the creation of the world?s largest and lowest-cost seismic network to explore earthquake fault rupture and the ground response to seismic wave passage by leveraging innovative cyber-enabled seismic data. This proposal will result in 375 QCN seismic stations at regional K-12 schools and an additional thousand public participants to enable groundbreaking discoveries in seismology. The work will address the following scientific questions: 1) Can MEMS technology and distributed computing produce transformative outcomes in real-time seismology applications by increasing the density of strong-motion observations, improved triggering algorithms and metadata generation, and innovative clustering algorithm development? 2) How do earthquake source properties, such as slip amplitudes and rupture velocity, vary at small spatial scales and how does increased density of observations improve the resolution and stability of source rupture modeling? 3) What is the variability in seismic amplification at a block-by-block scale and do increased seismic observations translate into improved prediction of ground motion estimates?The proposed work will result in wide-reaching educational outcomes by involving the community directly in seismic research. Any member of the public, a school, or a community organization can house a QCN strong-motion station. In return, the participant becomes a citizen-scientist, receives up-to-date science results, and access to educational activities and interactive software. The two main educational objectives of this proposal are to: (1) improve student engagement in science and (2) increase community understanding of earthquakes and related seismic hazards. To achieve the first objective, the PI will augment and improve classroom activities that utilize QCN sensors and software and distribute 375 USB-connected MEMS sensors to classrooms. In addition, teacher workshops will be held each year to introduce teachers to QCN, provide educational materials, and form sensor-communities. To accomplish the second objective, the PI will work closely with regional museums to develop displays that incorporate interactive models, regional seismic hazard information, and preparedness information. The QCN software and sensors are a natural platform to introduce the public to seismology as it allows for real-time displays of acceleration data. The aim is to improve public understanding of earthquakes and empower the public to take an active role in earthquake preparedness and policy discourse.