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Northern California Earthquake Data Center: Comprehensive Seismic Monitoring and Research Hub

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Northern California Earthquake Data Center

Hosted by the Berkeley Seismology Laboratory BSL, in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey's USGS Earthquake Monitoring Program, the Northern California Earthquake Data Center NCEDC serves as an integral part of the Advanced National Seismic System ANSS. As the authoritative regional seismic network for Northern California, it provides a comprehensive dataset of over 30,000 earthquakes annually.

In operation since the late 19th century with the deployment of the first seismographs at UC Berkeley and Mt. Hamilton's Lick Observatory, the NCEDC has significantly expanded its capabilities through strategic partnerships and collaborations. The center combines data from diverse sources including seismic networks managed by BSL, USGS Menlo Park, and other partner organizations like Caltech Seismological Laboratory.

Key Partners

National Partners

Contributing Networks

Product Offerings

  1. Latest Earthquakes Map: An interactive visualization of recent seismic activity in California.

  2. ShakeMap - A product by USGS that provides near-real-time maps of ground motion following significant earthquakes.

  3. ShakeAlert System: Currently being developed, ming to provide earthquake early warnings for the west coast of the United States.

Community Engagement

Data Accessibility

Users can access time series seismic data from various sensors including broadband, short period, strong motion systems, as well as geophysical instruments like electromagnetic sensors, strn meters, GPS stations, and more. Earthquake catalogs offer detled information such as event times, hypocentral locations, magnitudes, moment tensors, mechanisms, and phase arrivals.

The NCEDC also offers web services for accessing real-time data through APIs and provides interactive tools like the Waveform Display Tool for analyzing seismic waveforms and Make Your Own Seismogram to explore seismic activity from various regions. The center supports educational initiatives with earthquake FAQs and preparedness guidelines.

In , the Northern California Earthquake Data Center is a pivotal resource for researchers, policymakers, and communities seeking to understand and mitigate risks associated with earthquakes in northern California. Its comprehensive data management, collaborative partnerships, and community engagement efforts underscore its commitment to enhancing seismic knowledge and safety.


The Northern California Earthquake Data Center NCEDC, based at the Berkeley Seismology Laboratory and in partnership with the United States Geological Survey's USGS Earthquake Monitoring Program, acts as a central hub for comprehensive earthquake data in northern California. Since the installation of its initial seismographs by UC Berkeley and Mt. Hamilton's Lick Observatory in the late 19th century, the NCEDC has grown through strategic collaborations and partnerships.

Key Partnerships:

National Partnerships:

Contributing Networks:

Services Offered:

  1. Interactive Earthquake Map: Provides a real-time visualization of recent seismic activity in northern California.

  2. ShakeMap Technology: Offers near-real-time maps illustrating ground motion following significant earthquakes, facilitating response and recovery efforts.

  3. ShakeAlert System Development: An ongoing project ming to implement an earthquake early warning system for the West Coast of the United States.

Community Engagement Programs:

Data Avlability:

Users can access seismic data from a range of sensors including broadband and short-period instruments as well as geophysical tools like electromagnetic sensors, strn meters, GPS stations, and others. Earthquake catalogs include detls such as event times, hypocentral locations, magnitudes, moment tensors, mechanisms, phase arrivals, among other critical parameters.

The NCEDC provides web services for accessing real-time data through APIs, along with interactive tools like the Waveform Display Tool for seismic waveform analysis and 'Make Your Own Seismogram' to explore activity from various regions. The center also offers educational resources including FAQs on earthquakes and guidelines for preparedness.

In summary, the Northern California Earthquake Data Center stands as a vital resource for researchers, policymakers, and communities seeking to understand and mitigate earthquake risks in northern California. Its robust data management, strategic partnerships, and community engagement initiatives highlight its commitment to enhancing seismic knowledge and ensuring safety through comprehensive information dissemination.
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Northern California Earthquake Data Center Overview Comprehensive Seismic Network for North CA NCEDC Collaboration with BSL USGS Advanced National Seismic System Integration Historical Development since the 19th Century Diverse Partnerships for Enhanced Monitoring