Data Services Newsletter

Volume 4 : No 2 : June 2002

Seismic Monitor II - The Next Generation

Screenshot of seismic monitor version 1
Figure 1: Screenshot of Seismic Monitor 1

During the past couple of years the Seismic Monitor web page at IRIS has been a popular website and a great success. Critical input has been collected from several sources with an eye toward improving its functionality, and work has begun on Seismic Monitor II. Areas of weakness were identified and a new, improved version of the Monitor will be online soon.

Some of the changes you will see include

  • Use of the in-house IRIS database as the source of all data thus reducing dependencies on external servers and making a step toward DHI integration. The website becomes a “view” into the database, which can easily be utilized for storage as well.
  • Division of the top level world map into 12-15 overlapping submaps, centered on regions of high seismic activity and other common views, such as continents — this will allow you to get closer than current version and have higher resolution.
  • The adoption of GMT, an open source map rendering tool, gives us flexibility in projection, annotation, size, relief, color etc.
  • Two ways of printing: through the browser window or by downloading a high quality Postsript file suitable for larger format printing, or embedding in Illustrator or Powerpoint documents.
  • Increased interactivity, with tooltip-like popups, hot regions and lat/lon mouse feedback. Most browsers, when used with screen reading software, will “speak” these tooltips for the user
  • A settings screen for choosing from a small set of preferences (TBD).
  • Auto-refresh will reload the web page at set intervals.
  • Recent earthquakes flashing 3 times upon page load to draw attention.

Feedback is being solicited to help us select the best combination of cosmetic settings and functionality. We are hoping to be able to demonstrate a live connection between the web page and the Virtual Seismic Network Explorer.

Screenshot of seismic monitor version 2
Figure 2: Screenshot of Seismic Monitor 2

Thanks to Larry Braille for providing the initial Seismic Monitor work plan with valuable suggestions. Thanks to Lou Estey for valuable assistance with GMT.

by Russ Welti (IRIS Data Management Center)

07:38:35 v.01697673