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.
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Facilitating New Discoveries in Seismology and Exploring the Earth: The Next Decade This U.S. National Science Foundation award supported the deployment, operation and maintenance of seismic stations, the archiving and dissemination of seismic data and domestic and international outreach activities by the IRIS Consortium (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology). With support through previous awards from the Earth Science Division, Instrumentation and Facilities Program, IRIS has established, maintained, and developed a wide range of facilities to support research and education in seismology and the Earth sciences. The IRIS Data Management System archives and freely distributes data from the Global Seismographic Network and the Program for Array Seismic Studies of the Continental Lithosphere. These data are a primary resource for national and international research and these IRIS facilities have helped sustain the US position as a global leader in seismology research. Through collaborations with national and international mission agencies and organizations, IRIS data contribute to the monitoring of global earthquakes, tsunamis, and nuclear explosions. IRIS Education and Public Outreach programs encourage careers in the Earth sciences, inform the public of current earthquake activity, and provide visibility to NSF’s investments in support of geoscience research. The broad reach of the Consortium’s governance structure, and the active engagement of research scientists in guiding the management of IRIS programs, continue to ensure that the facilities meet the evolving needs of the academic research community. Intellectual Merit Data collected and distributed through IRIS facilities form the observational basis for most of the fundamental studies in seismology carried out by researchers at US universities and in many organizations worldwide. The stability and high quality of the permanent observatories capture both the short-term details of faulting during the seconds to minutes of rupture in major earthquakes as well as decadal-scale changes in global earthquake activity. Data from permanent, mobile, and portable arrays are used to resolve features in Earth structure over scales that range from the whole Earth, to lithosphere, to regional basins, to fault zones. Seismological observations provide fundamental information on Earth structure and processes that, in combination with other geoscience disciplines, contribute to enhanced understanding of how the active Earth evolves and deforms. As a part of EarthScope, these seismological observations contribute to multidisciplinary studies that focus on the structure and dynamics of North America and contribute to unraveling the history of deformation of the continent. Broader Impacts The IRIS program in Education and Public Outreach directly links the public and schools with the activities of an academic research community by demonstrating how basic seismological observations are made and used in Earth science investigations. Through a variety of activities that extend from the provision of classroom and web resources, to museum displays, public lectures, and internships, IRIS encourages students to engage in scientific inquiry and appreciate the importance of the Earth sciences in their lives. In addition to supporting fundamental research, the seismological resources provided by IRIS serve dual use by contributing directly to societal needs through reporting of global earthquake activity and applications in monitoring nuclear test ban treaties. Scientific and technical outreach by IRIS and its members as part of their international activities also provides assistance and guidance in the development and implementation of earthquake monitoring networks and hazard assessment, especially in developing countries.
