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Free-field seismometers

Four free-field (actually two free-field and two building ground floor) seismometers were installed in 2006-2007 to augment the UCLA Factor building seismic array. The free-field seismometers consist of Kinemetrics Episensors (±2 g scale range, 100 sps, GPS) with Q330 dataloggers. The real-time monitoring software package Antelope is being used to monitor the free-field array.

North station
The north site is located on a cement floor on the second floor of the Geology building on the side that is level with the ground. Power is obtained through a nearby lab on the second floor and GPS signal is obtained by receiver placed outside a vent window.

South station
The south site is an exterior location in soil inside the UCLA Botanical Gardens along the western boundary next to Tiverton Ave. Power is obtained from a nearby light pole using an industrial transformer in the base of the light pole to down step the power from 480 V to 24 V. A battery charger further down steps power from 24 V to 12 V. Telecommunications consists of an 802.11 radio link at 2.4 GHz with 15dB using a Yagi antenna pointing to the Factor building roof. The system is controlled by the CENS Data Communications Controller (CCDC), an Intel-Stargate X-scale computer in a mil-spec case.

Photos of South station sensors

  • View of Site from Side
  • View of Site from Top
  • Foundation for sensor 1
  • Foundation for sensor 2
  • Foundation for sensor 3
  • Open Sensor Container
  • Open Sensor Container in Site
  • Overview of Sensor in Container
  • David Setup
  • Sensor Assembled
  • Sensor Parts 1
  • Sensor Parts 2
  • Igor Working on the Site
  • Antonio Working on the Site
  • Closed Sensor Container

    • East station
    The east site is an exterior soil location next to a large greenhouse (the UCLA Plant Growth Center) on the eastern side of the UCLA Botanical Gardens. Power is obtained from the greenhouse. Telecommunications consists of an 802.11 radio link at 2.4 GHz with 15dB using a Yagi antenna pointing at the Factor building roof. The system is controlled by the CENS Data Communications Controller (CCDC), an Intel-Stargate X-scale computer in a mil-spec case.

    West station
    The west site is located in the basement of the Life Sciences building in a machine shop. GPS signals are received via the receiver placement next to a south-facing window. Power and internet data transfer is obtained through outlets/ports inside the machine shop.



    Filenaming convention
    See the miniseed filenaming convention link for complete information. In summary,
    FABW=Geology site
    FABX=Greenhouse site
    FABY=Tiverton Ave. site
    FABZ=Life Sciences site.