Calibration formulae and values for velocity seismometers used in the 1998 Santa Clara Valley, California seismic experiment

Open-File Report 99-434
By: , and 

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Abstract

Eaton (1975), Bakun and Dratler (1976), Eaton (1977), Healy and O’Neil (1977), Asten (1977), Stewart and O'Neill (1980), Liu and Peselnick (1986), Eaton (1991), Rodgers et al. (1995), and many others (see Asten (1977) for a list of earlier references) have presented formulae for calculating the damped generator constant (or motor constant), and the damping constant (or fractional damping ratio) for magnetically damped velocity seismometers. Unfortunately the notation varies between authors, and not all the formulae allow for some of the significant variables -- differences in input impedance of the recording system in particular. This has become particularly relevant because the USGS seismic networks in California have traditionally set up their velocity sensors for the 10K Ohm impedance of the standard USGS analog telemetry systems (Eaton, 1977), but modern digital recording systems are usually set up with high input impedances, often of a megaohm or greater. Thus the nominal calibration values valid for USGS velocity sensors in their “normal” configuration are incorrect when they are recorded on other systems. In this short note we have collected the relevant formulae needed, and computed the seismometer responses for the various velocity sensors used in the recent Santa Clara Valley Seismic Experiment (SCVSE, see Lindh et al., 1999).

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Calibration formulae and values for velocity seismometers used in the 1998 Santa Clara Valley, California seismic experiment
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 99-434
DOI 10.3133/ofr99434
Year Published 1999
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Earthquake Science Center
Description Report: PDF, 7 p.; Report: DOC; 3 Tables
Time Range Start 1998-01-01
Time Range End 1998-12-31
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Santa Clara Valley
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