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Originally posted by Robin Marks
There was a 2.6 magnitude, yet it wasn't posted until today. I was under the assumption that the USGS was alerted when the computer generated a report showing a quake with a magnitude greater than 2.5. Then the geologist would review it and post it. I figured no one was going to post a quake in the middle of the night. But then they weren't following up later in the day. So, this means if there is a bunch of quakes in the middle of the night, or on weekends, there will be no timely updating.
Originally posted by JadedDreams
Originally posted by Robin Marks
There was a 2.6 magnitude, yet it wasn't posted until today. I was under the assumption that the USGS was alerted when the computer generated a report showing a quake with a magnitude greater than 2.5. Then the geologist would review it and post it. I figured no one was going to post a quake in the middle of the night. But then they weren't following up later in the day. So, this means if there is a bunch of quakes in the middle of the night, or on weekends, there will be no timely updating.
The Earthquake Center in Memphis has ONE analyst.
Let me say that again.
The Earthquake Center in Memphis has ONE analyst.
ONE analyst who is responsible for locating events that occur in Ark., Missouri, Kentucky, Tenn., Alabama, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Illinois, Georgia, etc. A normal year in the New Madrid area would be about 250. Last year she located over 1000.
The USGS is generally only a back up for the earthquake center when the magnitudes are close to 3.0 and above.
There are no automagically located earthquakes by the University right now. The data must be downloaded for every event and the location calculated by picking p waves, s waves and codas. Then is it manually sent out and appears on the USGS website. The USGS does have the capability of auto locating the lager events but then the analyst at Memphis relocates and adds additional stations to improve the location.
The analyst works most weekends and does get out of bed for the larger events (3.0 and up) but they are not technically 24/7. The is NO overtime pay or an occasional week off since there is no one to take her place. Wouldn't you love to have her job.
The USGS is amazing. Did you see how many events they processed for the Japan event? They are not holding anything back.
Originally posted by PuterMan
reply to post by antar
No, don't get me wrong, I was not angry or feeling crossed!
I am very grateful to all the organisations that put out data for us to use. Personally I do not believe that they withhold any information - at least as far as earthquakes go - since I can see what they have and I can download the waveforms and check for myself. If I really needed to I believe I could get the versions that they use - I have looked in to this. I don't want to do it because I don't need to basically.
I do get very frustrated when there are breaks in the service or they are being very slow, but I do not believe this is because they are hiding anything. I realise that you understand this but let me say it once again............
Without the USGS (and associated organisations) we have no information at all.
Originally posted by Robin Marks
reply to post by ConsentioExpono
The Wyoming quake got removed. It fooled me too. I posted it on Quake Watch.
Originally posted by JadedDreams
reply to post by Robin Marks
Funny. Fall the shower... No they would get someone to take up the slack and work her job until there was a replacement. There are several other staff who are qualified. Don't worry.
And they are working right now to automate the system it just takes awhile to set up.