Oklahoma Geological Survey needs help expanding their network

NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) - The Oklahoma Geological Survey is wanting to double the size of their data network. In order to do that, they need landowners to give them permission to install a Seismic Station on their property.

Footsteps can be picked up on the seismic sensors currently underground at 100 locations across the state.

The Oklahoma Geological Survey, located on OU's Campus, uses them to pinpoint earthquakes.

Data is their bread and butter.

"We can pick up earthquakes anywhere in the state if they're large enough," said Andrew Thiel, a seismic analyst.

Thiel said monitoring big activity are helpful, of course. However, those little events and aftershocks are just as important.

"That just helps us to see if it's dying down, is it still happening," said Thiel.

Now, they need to upgrade these old sensors to the new and upgraded models.

"It's much more rodent resistant because it's metal boxes that are raised off the ground," said Thiel.

The new sensors can also better withstand flooding and wildfires.

The OGS also needs more of them in the ground. Most of them are on private property.

"The black triangles, those are our stations," said Thiel.

To double the number of sensors in their network, they need landowners to volunteer to have them installed on their property.

The OGS said landowners usually get very interested in their own sensors. They can log online to see the activity happening on their property.

"It's not very invasive," said Brandon Mace, a Seismic Field Technician.

It's Mace's job to put them in the ground. He said it's a two-day process.

"Probably about 4 feet by 4 feet. It's just a metal equipment box with a solar panel," said Mace. "We can also fence them off for cattle."

The OGS said they'd like to beef up their numbers in the following towns, historically known for seismic activity: Alex, Alpha, Altona, Amabel, Blanchard, Bradley, Bridge Creek, Calumet, Cashion, Chester, Chickasha, Cole, Covington, Cresent, Cushing, Davis, Dibble, Douglas, Dover, Duncan, Edmond, Fairview, Foster, Goldsby, Greenfield, Guthrie, Hayward, Hennepin, Hennessey, Kingfisher, Loco, Okarche, Pernell, Piedmont, Purdy, Rush Springs, Scipio, Sunray, Tuttle, and Velma.

"Those are areas that are more active that we do want to intensify our network however we could use sensors across the entire state," said Thiel.

They'll drive anywhere in the state for more data.

If you'd like a Seismic Station on your property, you can contact the OGS here. Or you can call 405-325-3031.