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Seismic Catalog Maintenance Guide

Learn seismic catalog maintenance from scratch with a clear step-by-step workflow, recommended tools, safety guidelines, and expert tips.

analystsdata managers

Workflow

  1. Merge and Review Detections

    2 hours daily

    Combine algorithms; analyst confirms each event.

  2. Homogenize Magnitudes

    1 hour daily

    Convert ML, md, Mw to preferred type with equations.

  3. QC Locations

    1 hour daily

    Reject RMS>1 s, gap>180°, unjustified default depth.

  4. Publish Versioned Catalog

    1 hour weekly

    Export a versioned QuakeML catalog. Review a small copy of the XML structure, then validate the full export against the applicable QuakeML schema before publication.

    XML Formatter

Tools Used

Checklist

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Planning

Preparation

Safety

Execution

Reference Materials

QuakeMLStandard

QuakeML is an XML representation of seismological data. Use the applicable schema to validate the complete export; a formatter checks XML syntax, not catalog accuracy or schema conformance.

Completeness McFormula

Where frequency-magnitude curve deviates from Gutenberg-Richter.

QC FlagsTable

Rejection criteria.

FlagThresholdAction
RMS>1 sReject
Gap>180°Review
DepthFixedFlag

  • Label in Field

    Label samples immediately with date, GPS coordinates, and habitat notes.

  • Chain of Custody

    Maintain sample integrity from collection through lab analysis.

  • Wildlife Safety

    Know venomous species and territorial animals in your study area.

Safety Notes

  • Catalog errors affect hazard products — follow review chain.
  • Backup before bulk edits.

Related Scenarios

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Seismology