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29 March 2024

UAE joins global chain of seismographic stations

Published
By WAM

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council member, Ruler of Sharjah and Supreme President of the University of Sharjah (UoS), inaugurated on Sunday the UoS's seismographic station at Wadi Al Hilu.

The station is linked to the Global Seismographic Network (GSN), a 150+ station, globally distributed, state-of-the-art digital seismic network providing free, real-time, open access data.

After unveiling the Memorial Plaque, Sheikh Sultan, accompanied by Prof Samy Mahmoud, Chancellor of UoS, and Professor Peter Davis University of California San Diego and Executive Director of Project IDA (International Deployment of Accelerometers), a global network of broadband and very long period seismometers operated by Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP), entered the rock tunnel where underground seismographers and sensors were installed to ensure high quality and accurate monitoring of tremors. At the Outdoor hall, Sheikh Sultan viewed the data monitoring and reception devices.

Prof Samy Mahmoud, Chancellor of UoS, said the project is a fruit of a cooperation agreement between the UoS and University of California San Diego, Iris (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology), which runs the Global Seismographic Network in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

"The Sharjah station was designed to become one of the world's state-of-the-art seismographic stations," he said.

He added that the devastating quakes and tsunami that recently rocked Japan and their impact on other Pacific Ocean countries provide an eye-opener for the urgency of international cooperation to address disasters starting from the stage of early warning up to mobilisation of rescue and aid operations.

He indicated that the Sharjah station is part of efforts to develop international scientific cooperation through sharing of high quality seismographic data that helps to mitigate consequences of quakes.

The station, he added, would provide the National Center of Meteorology and Seismology with an access to gather real time data.

Davis gave a presentation on the importance of the Sharjah station and its links with other 150 stations across the world. He also shed light on the future regional and international role of the station.

The UoS and University of California San Diego signed today an additional protocol for the already sealed academic cooperation agreement for maintenance of the station and conduction of scientific research.