Quarterly Report to the Harry Reid Center

UCCSN-DOE Cooperative Agreement

Task 12: Seismic Monitoring

PI: James N. Brune

UNR Seismological Laboratory

Report Period: 04/01/2001 – 06/30/2001

Progress:

During this reporting period (Jan-Mar 2001), we have maintained seismic operations under the QA procedures which have been established with the HRC. Data collection has been above 98% overall.

We have submitted the FY98-99 seismicity report, including data submittals to the TDMS of the two major datasets of the report. We have completed a draft of the FY00 seismicity report and submitted it to a technical reviewer. Preliminary data submittals of the two major datasets were made. These are non-Q, pending technical review of the report.

At the end of June, we have analyzed the earthquakes in the YM vicinity through approximately June 2, thus leaving a 28-day delay. This is an increase of 14 days over the delay reported at the end of March. Seismic activity in the YM vicinity has remained unusually low during this reporting period.

We have purchased a DVD-ROM recording system in this past quarter. Procedures for making DVD’s have been devised, and our first DVD submittals to the RPC will occur about July 1.

The software qualification effort for MLCALC completed, except for acceptance by the Software Configuration Management group. Issues with 4 previously qualified software packages were raised by the SCM, and we have responded to those.

An audit was conducted on our task by DOE in the week of May 21. We were issued one Deficiency Report, for which a response has already been given.

Problems:

We are still awaiting the final environmental record of decision from Death Valley National Park regarding the three stations to be installed in the park.

Another revision to AP-SI.1Q (Software Management) during the past quarter has caused us delay in software qualification efforts. The response of the SCM group is seemingly slower than at any previous time, and a recent “standdown” on software activity, although it is not supposed to affect us, is apparently slowing SCM.

We have been unable to renew the “Q” badge status of one of our technicians, John Torrisi. His Q badge was formerly obtained via the USGS, but they have stated they are unwilling to support us on this anymore. Requests for DOE personnel to intervene have been unsuccessful. Lack of a Q badge will eventually impact our ability to maintain the seismic network.

Status of Funds:

We anticipate a zero balance on 6/30/2001. All equipment purchases have been made, and final accounting by the UNR system should occur sometime in July.

Plans:

We plan to reduce our backlog to < 10 days of seismic event processing during the next quarter. Our student worker will have more time to give this effort, and the lab is completing the hiring process for a permanent position to do this type of work.

Pending receipt of review comments, we will finalize and submit the FY00 seismicity report and submit the final datasets to the TDMS.

We will resolve the one Deficiency Report issued from our May audit.