Nanometrics to set up Texas-wide earthquake monitoring system

OTTAWA, May 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Nanometrics, the world's leader in seismic monitoring solutions, has signed a $1.98 million (US) contract to provide equipment and assist in deploying an earthquake monitoring system across the state of Texas.

The TexNet Seismic Monitoring Program will allow for more precise determination of the location of earthquakes, and increase the ability for researchers to investigate potential causes.

Signed following a competitive bidding process, the agreement between Nanometrics and the University of Texas at Austin's Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG) reinforces Nanometrics' expertise as a complete end-to-end solutions provider. Not only will Nanometrics supply and assist in installing the instrumentation for BEG's TexNet, but its world-renowned experts will help to maintain network equipment after installation, allowing the Bureau's staff to focus on network management, scientific products, and research activities related to the resulting data.

"After a thorough bidding process, we're pleased that Nanometrics will be providing and helping to install the sophisticated seismometers that we need to make the TexNet earthquake monitoring network highly effective," said Dr. Scott Tinker, director of the Bureau of Economic Geology.  

Nanometrics will supply TexNet with 22 new permanent seismograph stations, which will be added to the existing backbone of 17 stations. Nanometrics will also supply 36 portable stations that will be maintained and deployed by the Bureau to target and respond to seismic events as necessary. The data produced will be delivered in near-real time to state databases and to the Incorporated Research Institute for Seismology (IRIS). Some monitoring stations are expected to be online by early summer with the majority of the system deployed by the end of the year.

TexNet will allow oil and gas operators, university researchers, regulators, city planners and others to have access to a catalogue of regional data about the level of seismicity of an area. TexNet will provide valuable baseline data to ensure that planning will be based on reliable, up-to-date information.

About Nanometrics                            

Nanometrics, with offices in Ottawa, Houston, Calgary and Beijing, provides monitoring solutions and equipment for studying manmade and natural seismicity. Nanometrics' real-time and portable systems are used by the world's leading scientific institutions, universities and major corporations. You can find out more about Nanometrics at the AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition in Calgary, Alberta (June 19 to 22). For more upcoming events, please visit our website.

SOURCE Nanometrics

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