Quick Quake 3.6

The process of rapid earthquake location and magnitude verification has been streamlined with this tool, despite its simplicity remaining accessible for educational purposes. Demonstration data allows visualization of how P (primary) and S (secondary) waves are utilized to determine an earthquake's epicentre.

Quick Quake serves as an analysis platform enabling users to swiftly identify the earthquake's epicentre and magnitude by selecting the arrival times of P and S waves on a single seismogram. Users can then manipulate the epicentre marker on a map until the waveforms from multiple stations align temporally, facilitating quick verification of automatic event reports.

Developed by the Seismology Research Centre, Quick Quake is designed to complement the Quake Server seismic data management system. It provides a means to verify automatic event notifications sent via email, significantly reducing the traditional location process from an estimated 10-20 minutes to under one minute for confirmation and refinement of event parameters.

Usage instructions with demo data include:

• Selecting a station as the "key site" for picking P and S wave arrivals by clicking the target icon
• Dragging the P wave marker rightward until it matches the earliest discernible signal above background noise
• Dragging the S wave marker leftward until it coincides with the notable increase in signal amplitude
• Zooming in or out on time and amplitude scales for finer resolution as needed
• Transitioning to the locating screen, where the user can move the target across a circular interface to achieve waveform alignment with P and S travel time guides

The mechanism is straightforward and effective across different station choices; proximity to the earthquake epicentre generally enhances the clarity of P and S wave arrival picks.

If integrated with a Quake Server, users may log in with their credentials using the server's IP address or domain. This access enables browsing recent and past automatic earthquake events, which can then be verified or refined following the outlined process.

On the “Select a Key Site” interface, stations can be excluded or included in calculations via swipe gestures, with an option to prioritize stations based on their distance from the selected site.

The “Locate Event” view offers adjustable parameters for P-wave and S-wave velocities to match local geological conditions, along with controls for defining earthquake depth. The mobile versions facilitate quick adjustments through dedicated buttons or preset models, including customizable magnitude formulas.

The Seismology Research Centre encourages inquiries regarding seismographs, Quake Server, and earthquake monitoring networks. Follow their updates on Facebook and Twitter for ongoing information.