Strong Motion Instrumentation Program

Contact Information:
Carl Petersen
801 K St., MS 13-35
Sacramento, CA 95814-3531
Tel: 916-322-3105
Fax: 916-323-7778
http://www.consrv.ca.gov

It is clear that destructive earthquakes pose a continuing major threat to lives and property throughout California. Earthquake strong motion data provide information for engineers to improve earthquake resistance for buildings and other structures. The California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (CSMIP) records the strong shaking of the ground and in structures during earthquakes for the engineering and scientific communities through a statewide network of strong motion instruments. The measured ground strong shaking is used immediately after an event to assist in emergency response by agencies like OES. Structural measurements are studied after events to analyze the performance of structures, with the goal of mitigating future earthquake impacts through improved building codes for safer, more earthquake resistant structures.