**CARIBBEAN NETWORK MEETING NOTES**

Meeting held on February 14, 2005 at USGS/Golden office. Participants
included Harley Benz (HB), Ray Buland (RB), Bob Hutt (BH), Bruce
Presgrave (BP), Alena Leeds (AL) and Jean Weaver (JW) via conference
call.

Initial agenda outlined by HB included the following topics of
discussion:

[Equipment]{.underline}

Sensors

DAS

Telecomm

Power

[Coordination]{.underline}

NOHA

PRSN

MIDAS

IRIS

NEIC

[Siting]{.underline}

[Operations and Maintenance]{.underline} (Golden/ASL)

***EQUIPMENT DISCUSSION**:* The budgeted allotment for each of the nine
anticipated stations is \$300,000 minus 25% assessment, or \$225,000.
The initial comments involved deciding what style of data the stations
are expected to provide, i.e. Global Seismic Network (GSN) vs. Tsunami
Warning Center (TWC). RB thought the TWC style is sufficient for this
network.

***Broadband sensor**:* HB had spoken with Paul Whitmore (PW) at NOAA
regarding the choice of KS54000, STS1, STS2 or CMG3. PW indicated that
since STS1s are no longer available, a quiet STS2 would be the
instrument of choice. BH asked if response at the level of the Low Noise
Model (LNM) wouldn't be preferable. RB pointed out that although the
critical event analysis threshold is expected to be a magnitude 7.5
earthquake, response up to several hundred seconds is desirable. BH then
introduced results from the 'super-isolated' STS2 (SISTS2) tests that
have been conducted at ASL. The system provides magnetic and thermal
shielding thereby reducing long period noise. BH showed several plots
indicated that the SISTS2 is sufficient for resolving the Peterson Low
Noise Model. BH believes recently produced KS54000s have not performed
as well as earlier versions of the same instrument. HB noted that Stu
Weinstein (NOAA) likes the KS54000 and the STS1 but believes his opinion
may be biased due to observing these instruments at stations in
continental interiors. RB said that noise considerations do not justify
boreholes for this network, BH pointed out that boreholes do give a bit
of improvement on long period horizontal data.

***Strong motion sensor:*** The Episensor, CMG5 and MEM were discussed
as possible choices. BH pointed out that Episensor (???) has a
hysteresis problem, RB responded that all the high end units have the
same issue, but the MEM is noisier. That problem may be related to the
power supply which Reftek has worked on since they had been last tested
MEMs at Golden. BH mentioned another contender from Metrozet that should
run about \$1000 per unit vs \$3200 for the Episensor.

***Datalogger:*** The Q330 High Resolution (HR) unit was introduced for
discussion at an expected cost of \$9000 (vs. \$7000 for the Standard
Resolution (SR) model.) BH thought that a unit with 3 HR and 3 SR
channels would be available shortly. BH would like a Packet Baler (PB)
included if these are GSN expansion stations due to increased data
availability and the possibility of re-requests. RB is not crazy about
the PB at this point, he feels the interface is awkward and the packets
of differing block size are problematic. It is necessary to have
Mountain Air, Willard or a PB to get full digitizer performance. HB
interjected that they are showing up in the network anyway and we may
need to learn to deal with the shortcomings. RB is hoping Quanterra will
'persistently assist' with resolving the undesirable aspects of the
Q330.

***Telecomm:*** RB commented that it is important that we are able to
power cycle the datalogger remotely, we have recently lost that ability
at the US Q330 deployment sites. Whatever device is installed at the
sites should be able to decide locally if a VSAT power reset is
indicated, i.e. the unit should have sufficient logic for this task.
More on Telecomm after the conference call with Jean Weaver.

Later discussion occurred whereby estimates from three potential
providers were reviewed. The group needs to see more detailed
comparisons and satellite coverage maps for all potential bidders.

***Power system:*** BH suggested two systems, one low power for the DAS
and sensors and a larger for the telecomm. RB said chargers have been a
problematic source of short period noise, BH suggested the back-up power
source could be placed some distance from the other electronics and the
sensors (?). More discussion on this to occur after the telecomm system
is selected.

***SUMMARY OF RESULTS:***

*Broadband sensor:* SISTS2, contract already in place.

*Strong motion sensor:* Episensor, contract already in place.

*Datalogger:* Q330 HR, Barbara Bogaert to do a contract modification.

***SITING DISCUSSION***

Jean Weaver included via teleconferencing. HB distributed the USGS
proposed Caribbean Network map to all present.

**Trinidad** - Trinidad is the first proposed new station site east of
SDV (Santo Domingo, Venezuela) and due east of PCRV, an existing CTBTO
site that may soon begin providing data courtesy of AFTAC (BP). HB began
the discussion by commenting that SDV is a good GSN site, and explained
that he opted for Trinidad due to the existence of the Seismological
Research Unit (SRU) of the University of the West Indies (UWI),
Trinidad. This contact would provide an opportunity to work with the
local population. JW knows folks at UWI, and thought this site is
politically advantageous (?). Recently, UWI had been difficult to deal
with due to one person that has since retired. Most of the personnel at
SRU are very cooperative. It is thought this cooperative effort would
provide help with siting and maintenance. BP suggested that there is
currently some telemetry infrastructure in place at UWI that includes
Barbados, Guadeloupe, Dominica and north at least to Anguilla.

**Barbados** -- Barbados is an independent country with a strong British
tradition (as with Trinidad and Tobago) and a "developed economy" (State
Dept. term), which is easy to work with and has a UWI campus. Chris
Kellogg works with students there. There is an existing short period
station of the Trinidad network here (BP). Barbados is also a
non-volcanic island, making it less likely we'll see our instruments
fried to a crisp. Of course, as with all east Caribbean Islands except
perhaps Trinidad, hurricanes are a significant hazard.

**Guadeloupe** -- Guadeloupe (French) has an active volcano on the
island , so there is an existing network of approximately 25 stations,
run by the Observatoire Volcanologique et Sismologique de Guadeloupe, as
well as another network of about 14 stations on Martinique, operated by
the Observatoire Volcanologique de la Montagne Pelée. (RB) This could
mean the site would be noisy for earthquake monitoring purposes. JW
noted that Mike Machette visited Guadeloupe with the Caribbean
Geological Meeting and was well received so possibly this station would
be welcome. BP noted that Jean-Pierre Viodé , , director of the
Martinique Observatory and apparently the main contact for both
observatories for data exchange with other groups in the region, may
like to take the lead contact for this station. Is Anguilla a possible
site for this station? RB commented that based on GSN experience, the
French like to 'do their own thing.' BH added that the Geomag group has
some activity here, with data carried on Carib\\Net. (??) The two
observatories already have existing data exchange agreements with the
UWI, Trinidad and are contributors of phase data to the NEIC PDE
program, although the fact they are parts of IPGP in Paris implies that
there may be bureaucratic hurdles involved in transmitting waveforms in
real-time. (BP -- note added based on "further review" after the
meeting.)

More additional notes added by BP after the meeting: Other alternative
sites to Guadeloupe could be Dominica, Antigua or Barbuda. All three of
these islands are bigger than Anguilla, and the two independent
countries (Antigua and Barbuda is one country of two islands) are former
British colonies. Anguilla does have the advantage of still being a
British dependency, like Cayman Islands or Turks and Caicos. All of the
islands have existing stations that are part of the UWI Trinidad network
-- and thus have at least some access to real-time communications.

**Dominica** (not to be confused with Dominican Republic) -- This is the
largest island of the three and is located between Guadeloupe and
Martinique. One big disadvantage is that it has several Holocene
volcanoes, not just one nasty one like Martinique or Guadeloupe.

**Antigua --** This is the closest non-volcanic island to Guadeloupe and
has the capital town of Antigua and Barbuda.

**Barbuda --** Also a non-volcanic island, it is smaller than Antigua
and is the farthest to the northeast of any islands in the Lesser
Antilles. This could be tempting for geographic coverage, but might also
mean that communications links are more expensive.

**Dominican Republic --** A seismic network exists in Puerto Rico, the
RSPR/PRSN. Christa Von Hillebrandt-Andrade would help find a quiet site
in the Dominican Republic. JW reminded those assembled that the various
State Departments would need to be appraised of these efforts. JW speaks
fluent French and Spanish and would be willing to assist. BP noted that
there are two groups involved in this region at the moment, Juan Payero
and Luis Odonel Gomez. BP thinks Juan Payero is the better technician,
the other a politician. JW asked which agency has the best capability to
monitor the proposed station. Christa would be a good person to ask
about this (BP).

**Turks and Caicos Islands** -- HB said this site was chosen for
azimuthal control on the back side of the subduction zone. The Bahamas
are too far north. These islands are a British protectorate. This site
would also cover the Mona Passage though a site further east would also
be desirable, although it would require the use of an ocean-bottom
seismometer (very expensive!).

**Guantanamo Bay** -- This site would be close to Haiti and potentially
large earthquakes. In response to a question, JW noted that the land (US
soil) does extend inland to include 5-6 square miles. She had recently
met with individuals (State Department personnel assigned to Cuba or
Cubans?) that had felt earthquakes and did not think an installation at
this location would cause a lot of heartburn. The group did have
questions about logistics. HB responded that these would be autonomous
sites, visited only for maintenance and repairs on an as needed basis.
RB asked if real-time transmission from this location would be a
problem. JW asked how sites would be secured from vandalism, though
Guantanamo Bay should be fairly secure within the base perimeter. HB
requested JW inquire if bedrock were available on the base.

**Grand Cayman/**Jamaica -- Cayman Islands is also a British colony. HB
thought it would be problematic to have a secure site in Jamaica, BP did
not completely agree. RB noted that Jamaica does have surface bedrock
though having sufficient security at a site in or around Kingston would
be difficult. JW will be at Grand Cayman in mid-March on annual leave.
She commented that this would be a good entry point for other USGS
endeavors. Mosquito research folks had been running a short period
station here. BP reminded the group that an inland station on Jamaica
would likely be quieter if a secure site could be found.

TEIG (existing station in Mexico) will be upgraded. The Mexican
government has insisted on having superuser access to the DAS and they
have messed up the settings. (RB?). It is currently on GCI, it may be
prudent to add this site to the VSAT system set up for the Caribbean
Network. The station has been working satisfactorily in recent months
(BP).

**Honduras** -- HB hoping for a good, quiet, inland site. JW noted that
EROS has a data center near the site as indicated on the map. BP said
there is potential for an enthusiastic cooperator (Gonzalo Cruz at the
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras) at this location and much
hard rock available.

**Costa Rica \--** JTS, an existing site run by UCSD, in cooperation
with the Universidad Nacional (Heredia), can use some improvement.

**Panama** - There is a former WWSSN site at Balboa Heights (BHP/UPA),
the latter of which (UPA) has been upgraded to a broadband station. BP
knows there are also enthusiastic and cooperative contacts available
(Eduardo Camacho, director of the Instituto de Geociencias, Universidad
de Panamá and operator of the UPA station) for this proposed addition to
the real-time global network.

BP also noted that there are other existing stations that may allow
upgrading (Colombia, etc.) and then perhaps we could get the data.
Specifically, INGEOMINAS (Instituto Colombiano de Geología y Minería)
has an existing 3-component broadband station at El Rosal, Colombia
(4.8N, 74.3W) and INETER (Instituto Nicaraguense de Estudios
Territoriales) has an existing STS2 broadband station at Boaco,
Nicaragua (12.4N, 85.6W). JW noted that regarding Colombia, we are only
allowed to go to Cartagena.

HB said the supplement money may also be used on other priority sites
(Pacific Rim and Caribbean) that may have impact on tsunami
monitoring/prediction capability. Some sites may get upgraded telecomm
in light of the IntelSat failure.

A discussion is ongoing with AFTAC whereby they will distribute USGS
response products to the military and send their data to the NEIC. D.
Russell indicated that data from arrays will be freed up for public
distribution. There will be a move toward common software development
(we use their array processing, they use our associator.) In addition,
AFTAC is willing to pay for restoration of the Kabul vault. Harley Benz,
Jill McCarthy and Pat Leahy will go to western Afghanistan (Herat) this
spring and visit the Provincial Reconstruction Team at a site where
Proterozoics are near the surface.