Month: September 2018

UUSS is hiring a Postdoctoral Research Associate and a Research Scientist this fall.

Posted on by Paul Roberson
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Earthquake Seismology.
The successful applicant will work with UUSS faculty, staff, and students on problems related to induced seismicity. UUSS has active projects related to enhanced geothermal development, mining induced seismicity, and discrimination of explosions from earthquakes. Potential research topics include (1) discrimination of tectonic earthquakes from induced earthquakes and non-earthquake sources, (2) estimation of full moment tensors for small-to-moderate seismic events, (3) estimation of fault parameters of micro-earthquakes, (4) detection and high-resolution multi-event relocation of induced seismic sequences. While primary datasets are available from regional seismic networks, in some cases supplemental data will be generated using the University of Utah pool of over 150 three-component, short-period (5 Hz) Nodal seismometers.
The position is renewable for a second year pending acceptable progress and availability of funding. Opportunities for teaching, mentoring, and outreach will be made available for those interested in pursuing an academic track.
In addition to research, the successful applicant will be expected to serve rotations as a UUSS duty seismologist (leading the initial UUSS response to events of interest), which will periodically require 24/7 availability via cell/pager.
To apply submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests, and contact information for three references using the following webpage: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/80640. The nominal start date is January 1, 2019, although the actual start date is flexible. Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2018. Questions may be directed to UUSS Director Keith Koper (koper@seis.utah.edu) or UUSS Associate Director Kristine Pankow (pankow@seis.utah.edu).
The University of Utah Seismograph Stations (UUSS, quake.utah.edu) invites applications for a full-time staff scientist position. UUSS operates a network of approximately 250 seismic stations (with a combination of broadband, strong-motion, and short-period sensors) and 3 infrasound arrays. Together with the Department of Geology and Geophysics, UUSS also maintains an inventory of 162 three-component, 5 Hz, Nodal geophones that can be used for special studies. In operations, UUSS runs the ANSS Quake Monitoring System (AQMS) and is responsible for generating earthquake catalogs and other earthquake information products for the regions around Utah and Yellowstone National Park, as well as providing information to local stakeholders. The successful applicant will (1) help sustain and improve UUSS operational capabilities for earthquake detection, location, and characterization in the Intermountain West, and (2) work with UUSS faculty, staff, and students on related research problems. Research topics of interest include earthquake detection and location, seismic hazard analysis, discrimination of seismic sources, imaging of shallow Earth structure, seismotectonics of the Intermountain West region, mining induced seismicity, and seismicity induced by geothermal energy development. The new hire will be required to serve rotations as a UUSS duty seismologist, which will periodically require 24/7 availability via cell/pager to carry out the initial UUSS response to events of interest. A Ph.D. in seismology or a closely related field is required at the time of appointment. Other requirements include proficiency in programming and scripting languages commonly used in modern seismology, and strong communication skills. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in network or field seismology and database management. To apply submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests, and contact information for three references using the following webpage: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/81552. The nominal start date is January 1, 2019, although the actual start date is flexible. Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2018. Questions may be directed to UUSS Director Keith Koper (koper@seis.utah.edu) or UUSS Associate Director Kristine Pankow (pankow@seis.utah.edu).

M 3.8 near Cove Fort, Utah

Posted on by Paul Roberson

Press Release

Released: September 12, 2018 12:50 AM MDT

The University of Utah Seismograph Stations reports that a small earthquake of magnitude 3.8 occurred at 11:34 PM on September 11, 2018 (MDT).  The epicenter of the shock was located in southwestern Utah in the southern Sevier Desert,  15 miles west-northwest of Cove Fort, UT.  This earthquake was followed by at least four aftershocks in the first hour, the largest of magnitude 2.3.  A total of 19 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater have occurred within 16 miles of the epicenter of this event since 1962.  The largest of these events was a magnitude 4.0 on February 23, 2001, 8 miles southwest of Kanosh, UT.

Anyone who felt the earthquake is encouraged to fill out a survey form on the US Geological Survey website:
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/data/dyfi/

Small Salt Lake City Earthquakes Felt and Heard

Posted on by Paul Roberson

The University of Utah Seismograph Stations reports that four minor earthquakes of magnitude (M) 0.7 to 1.0 have occurred in northeastern Salt Lake City during the last eight days.  The first two earthquakes occurred on Sunday, September 2, at 02:13 am (M 0.7) and 10:33 am (M 1.0) MDT.  They were followed by an M 1.0 shock on Thursday, September 6, at 8:43 pm MDT and an M 0.8 shock at 3:48 pm MDT on Saturday, September 8.  These four earthquakes occurred near the southeastern part of the University of Utah campus at shallow depths of less than 3.5 miles.

Residents of northeastern Salt Lake City have reported feeling and/or hearing these earthquakes, in some cases describing the noise as a loud boom.  Earthquakes, especially very shallow ones, can generate noises that sound like booms or thunder to those nearby.  The sound is generated by seismic waves vibrating the ground surface up and down like a loudspeaker.

Small magnitude seismic activity like the recent activity in northestern Salt Lake City is a common occurrence in the Wasatch Front region.   The location of this recent activity appears to be too far east for it to be occurring on the Wasatch fault.

Anyone who felt or heard any of these earthquakes is encouraged to fill out a survey form which is available on the US Geological Survey website at https://earthquake.usgs.gov/data/dyfi/ .