A permanent seismograph array around the Gulf of California

Abstract

A permanent seismographic array has been established around the Gulf of California. Solar-powered stations are operating at Caborca, Bahia de los Angeles, Guaymas, Topolobampo and La Paz. Trailer stations using local 60-cycle power are operating at San Felipe, Rio Hardy, Rancho Meling, and Ensenada. The array is unique in the following aspects: (1) It is the only array operating in close proximity to an active region of sea-floor spreading; (2) its sophisticated low-power design and use of solar energy made siting choices simpler so that local noise sources could be minimized; (3) it is the first accurately timed array to operate in northwest Mexico. The array has already provided important information on seismicity in the Gulf of California and has aided in several sonobuoy studies of swarms and aftershock sequences. As more data accumulate, many of the important questions concerning the seismicity, tectonics, and structure of the Gulf of California will be answered.