Hydra—The National Earthquake Information Center’s 24/7 seismic monitoring, analysis, catalog production, quality analysis, and special studies tool suite

Open-File Report 2016-1128
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

This report provides an overview of the capabilities and design of Hydra, the global seismic monitoring and analysis system used for earthquake response and catalog production at the U.S. Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC). Hydra supports the NEIC’s worldwide earthquake monitoring mission in areas such as seismic event detection, seismic data insertion and storage, seismic data processing and analysis, and seismic data output.

The Hydra system automatically identifies seismic phase arrival times and detects the occurrence of earthquakes in near-real time. The system integrates and inserts parametric and waveform seismic data into discrete events in a database for analysis. Hydra computes seismic event parameters, including locations, multiple magnitudes, moment tensors, and depth estimates. Hydra supports the NEIC’s 24/7 analyst staff with a suite of seismic analysis graphical user interfaces.

In addition to the NEIC’s monitoring needs, the system supports the processing of aftershock and temporary deployment data, and supports the NEIC’s quality assurance procedures. The Hydra system continues to be developed to expand its seismic analysis and monitoring capabilities.

Suggested Citation

Patton, J.M., Guy, M.R., Benz, H.M., Buland, R.P., Erickson, B.K., and Kragness, D.S., 2016, Hydra—The National Earthquake Information Center’s 24/7 seismic monitoring, analysis, catalog production, quality analysis, and special studies tool suite: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016–1128, 28 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161128.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Background and Motivation
  • Hydra’s Capabilities
  • Hydra’s Design
  • Hardware
  • Specialized Use Cases
  • Additional Development
  • Summary
  • References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Hydra—The National Earthquake Information Center’s 24/7 seismic monitoring, analysis, catalog production, quality analysis, and special studies tool suite
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2016-1128
DOI 10.3133/ofr20161128
Year Published 2016
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Geologic Hazards Science Center
Description vi, 28 p.
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details