Minutes of FDSN WG-1 meeting, Hawaii, June 12, 2002

Attendance: Ahern, Butler, Dost, Fonseca, Haslinger, Ingate, Kao, Kuriaca, Liang, Liu, Mazza, Olivieri, Pesaresi, Saul, Shedlock, Tsuboi

Approved Agenda

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  1. Potential upgrades to the FDSN inventory were discussed. The pros and cons of including specific equipment information, means of communication, accessibility, attribution, and the regionalization of the list were the main topics. Most of us include this information about our stations on our own websites, so the wisdom and difficulty of maintaining that information on the FDSN website dominated the discussion. The consensus of the group was to add columns that contain the network code(s), data center, and how to access the data/information to the FDSN station list, (Excel file) maintain it in its expanded form, and develop a web form for the input of improved/updated information.
  2. The gaps in global coverage cited in 2001 still exist in 2002. Although encouraging discussions have taken place between MedNet and many northern Africa/Mediterranean countries, progress in actual station siting and deployment has been (understandably) slow. WG-1 members agreed to prepare a draft of a letter from the FDSN to the appropriate French Military entities to encourage open data availability for stations they operate in Chad, Madagascar, and other global coverage gaps. Butler summarized a letter recently received from Suarez  (CTBT) concerning an "orphan" auxiliary station near Rabaul, PNG. PNG no longer has the resources necessary to maintain and operate this station. The CTBT is seeking to have this station adopted if possible, so that it may continue to serve as an auxiliary station. This will be discussed in WG-4 as well.
  3. The consensus of the group was that the concept of official FDSN stations remains useful, but needs to be refined. The FDSN network should be a true global network of consistently spaced high-quality stations affording the best geographical coverage possible, supporting the open exchange of scientific data. A station spacing of 1000 km was suggested. Adding and subtracting stations to reach this goal should begin. B. Dost will take the lead in developing a plan to redefine the FDSN network.
  4. The availability of STS-1s was the only topic discussed under instrumentation. O. Kuriaca stated that STS-1s might be produced again if quantities adequate to justify production were requested.
  5. WG-1 Tasks for the future include all those specific tasks included above, as well as continuing to: