Geophysical Education Observatory

Summary

Nodes - Lead nodes ANU, Macquarie University and Geoscience Australia

EIF funding - A$ 1.7 million

Project duration - January 2011 to December 2014

The Geophysical Education Observatory will combine real-time monitoring of the Australian continent, using seismometers, GPS stations, and borehole monitoring, to promote geoscience education across the education sector. It combines the Australian seismometer network (GA), with an additional 40 seismometers installed in schools under the Seismometers-in-Schools project (EDU-SIS), together with the Australian GNSS pool of GPS stations, in addition to ~20 additional GPS stations installed in schools under the GPS-in schools (EDU-GPSIS) project, along with streamed downhole data from the subsurface observatory. The data will be combined in an online portal designed to align with educational syllabus from primary to tertiary levels.

Infrastructure

• 40 Seismometers
• GPS receivers and antennas

Access

Seismometers in Schools website
Email
Facebook

The data will be available via the IRIS data management centre and some available on our the AuSIS website. IRIS is an international repository for seismic data and is commonly used by the community.

Contacts

Craig O'Neill - Macquarie University
Natalie Balfour - ANU
Malcolm Sambridge - ANU
Gary Johnston - Geoscience Australia

AuSIS Network Launched

On 31 May 2012 the AuScope AuSIS (Australian Seismometers in Schools) network was launched by Senator The Honourable Kate Lundy, Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory, at Melrose High School in Canberra.

At the launch Melrose students demonstrated the science and equipment behind the program to an enthusiastic audience from leading Australian research organisations - CSIRO, ANU and Geoscience Australia - as well as representatives from ACT Department of Education and DIISRTE.

Professor Malcolm Sambridge acted as MC for the event and speeches were given by Bob Haydon AuScope CEO, George Palavestra Melrose High Principal, Geoff McNamara Melrose High Science Teacher and Minister Lundy.

“This experience will be inspirational for the next generation of geoscientists where the career possibilities are limitless - Australia wouldn’t have developed its resources industry without it" commented Senator Lundy who represented Minister for Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans at the event.

Senator Chris Evans said, “Projects like the seismometer not only raise community awareness of regional earthquakes, but also provide an avenue to assist in teaching of earth science and physics in the classroom and inspiring our next wave of young scientists.”

The second site in the pilot program Daramalan College is also up and running and delivering data to the IRIS network. Dr Natalie Balfour, coordinator of the project, is now seeking expressions of interest from High Schools across Australia who are interested in taking part in the AuSIS network. More details can be found at www.ausis.edu.au

Left to right: Dr Bob Haydon AuScope CEO, Senator Kate Lundy, Dr Natalie Balfour AuSIS Project Coordinator, Mr George Palavestra Melrose High Principal and Professor Malcolm Sambridge ANU at the AuSIS Launch.

Students explain the science behind recording seismic waves to Senator Lundy and Professor Malcolm Sambridge of ANU. A range of demonstration exhibits were manned by the students to explain different aspects of the AuSIS program to launch guests.

Last updated 5 September 2012