Seismic Eruption
Background
Seismic Eruption is the creation of Professor
Alan L. Jones. It is an interactive program for the visualization of seismicity
and volcanic activity in space and time. The program displays both earthquakes
and volcanoes. The database of volcanism is from the Global Volcanism Program
of the Smithsonian Institution. When the program is running, the user sees lights,
which represent earthquakes, flashing on the screen in speeded-up time. The
user can control the speed of the action. In addition, the program can show
seismicity under the earth in three-dimentional and cross-sectional views. An
earlier DOS program was used by CBS News when reporting on large earthquakes.
It was used at the time of the Parkfield alert in November 1993, the Northridge
(Los Angeles) event of January 17, 1994, the Kobe event of January 17, 1995,
and several others. You will know it if you see the caption across the screen:
"CBS News Seismic Monitor". Union Pacific Railroad uses the program in their
dispatch center in Omaha to inform them when they may have to stop trains and
inspect the right-of-way. The best way to learn the most from this program is
to simply experiment with it! There is an extensive wealth of information just
waiting to be discovered!
Type of Software
Simulation, Modeling
Operational Aspects
If you are computer literate and you can control the mouse, then you can work
this program! The most important skill is to be willing and able to experiment
with the different control functions.
System Requirements
The program, which runs under Windows on PCs (3.1 or Windows 95), has an extensive
database of events. A number of predefined maps are included which illustrate
the seismicity in various parts of the earth.
Acquisition and Prices
Seismic/Eruption is a free download from Alan
Jones' website. It takes approximately 1-2 hours to download - depending
on modem speed etc.