Middle America Seismograph Consortium
|
| Middle America Seismograph Consortium |
On January 11-12, 1990, representatives from several Caribbean and Middle American countries met in Barbados to discuss the need for a dedicated effort towards improving the number and quality of seismological data in Middle America. An important topic addressed at the meeting was the feasibility of installing and operating a network of digital broadband seismograph stations that would provide high-quality earthquake data and improve the regional capability for public alerting of large and damaging earthquakes. Representatives agreed to form the Middle America Seismograph (MIDAS) Consortium of seismological institutions whose principal objective is to promote the scientific and technical cooperation between Middle American countries and to facilitate a rapid and efficient use of earthquake data by member institutions.
Several digital broadband seismograph stations are currently operating in the Middle America region that can contribute to a coordinated MIDAS effort. Data from these stations are recorded in realtime or near realtime and can be used to infer important source information for large-magnitude earthquakes that occur in the region. The high-quality waveforms recorded by these stations are also useful for detailed seismotectonic investigations and will be made available to all MIDAS members. In addition, current MIDAS participants have agreed to begin a routine exchange of local seismic data for earthquakes of magnitude greater than 5.0 and for smaller earthquakes felt in any of the MIDAS countries.
 | Return to MIDAS home page |