The uniform system of seismic observations of the U.S.S.R. and prospects of its development

In the period up to about 1965 the stations of the Soviet seismic network distributed throughout the regions of the U.S.S.R. had increased in number to in excess of one hundred. In order that the data provided by such stations could be applied to the study of the earth's structure rather than merely regional problems, and to the determination of the seismic character of the territory of the U.S.S.R. as a whole, it became necessary to institute the Unified System of Seismic Observations (USSO) of the U.S.S.R. The standardization of data and organization of the stations into a system of base and regional stations and also into zonal networks, covering specific seismic zones of the U.S.S.R., has been effected within the USSO. Currently the USSO consists of 215 stations mostly equipped with high-sensitivity instruments with magnifications of 20–50,000 and dynamic ranges of 35–40 dB. To exploit the large volume of observational data obtained through the system it is necessary to devise a programme for the transmission, processing and storage of data on the necessary scale. In the present paper we describe the methods which have been adopted and those which are in the course of development for such a programme in the U.S.S.R.