Global and Regional GIS Database Development in Support of CTBT Monitoring

It is essential for the CTBT monitoring efforts that multidisciplinary
information on any given region be readily available and accessible in a
digital, on-line format via electronic networks for use by concerned
researchers and decision makers. We collected and organized available
seismological, geophysical, and geological data sets for the Middle East and
North Africa into a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS). In
addition, we produced original results, such as crustal structure beneath
available broadband seismic stations in the Middle East and North Africa
region, and basement depth values in the northern Arabian plate. In addition to
the GIS databases and tools, we developed a special World Wide Web (WWW) site
to allow restricted access to our databases. All the data sets in our GIS
system were documented with a standard metadata format in order to explain the
source and nature of the data, their resolution, and their accuracy. The
developed system and its efficiency in using and analyzing information will
help CTBT researchers and decision makers to fuse and integrate the results of
the four established monitoring technologies to reach a conclusion in a very
short time. The system also significantly contributes to the better location
and calibration of suspect events for any given region. This system will also
help in On Site Inspection efforts.