Automatic earthquake recognition and timing from single traces

abstract A computer program has been developed for the automatic detection and timing of earthquakes on a single seismic trace. The program operates on line and is sufficiently simple that it is expected to work in inexpensive low-power microprocessors in field applications. In tests with analog tapes of earthquakes, the program correctly identified and timed to within 0.05 sec about 70 per cent of the events which would normally be timed in operation of a network. The program evaluates the accuracy of its picks, and its estimates appear to be quite reliable. The algorithm is working at present in a 16-bit minicomputer and appears to be compatible with presently available microprocessors.