About Observation System of the Institute of Geophysical Research of the National Nuclear Center of Republic of Kazakhstan.

General Info.

Geophysical Observatories Aktyuinsk, Borovoye, Kurchatov and Makanchi, created during the Soviet times specially for monitoring nuclear explosions detonated in different parts of the world, made up the basis of the NNC RK seismic observation network. In 1994 they were passed to the Institute of Geophysical Research NNC RK.

Located within a large continent in the regions with very low seismic noise level, within the massives, formed by rocks with excellent transfer characteristics, Kazakhstan seismic stations are ideal for monitoring at regional and teleseismic distances.

Currently operating NNC RK seismic network is the product of international cooperation on its recovery and modernization. The main development stages of the network as a part of NNC RK are given below.

A Joint Seismic Program (JSP) started working in summer of 1994 in the framework of the "Agreement on Cooperation in Monitoring Underground Nuclear Explosions" between IRIS University Consortium, USA and NNC RK. The main idea of the program was effective use Kazakhstan nuclear explosion monitoring tools. Eight broadband 3-component stations AKT, BRV, ZRN, VOS, CHK, KUR, MAK and TLG were installed under this program at geophysical observatories Aktyubinsk, Borovoye, Kurchatov, Makanchi, and Talgar station of the Complex Seismological Expedition JIPE RAS between July and August 1994. They were equipped with STS-2 and CMG-3 seismometers and IRIS/PASSCAL 16 and 24 bit digital data acquisition systems. The installed devices allowed registering seismic data at the rate of 40 samples per second.

A unique Kurchatov "Cross" seismic array consisting of 24 elements was recovered in October 1994.

A 3-component IRIS/IDA Global Seismic Network broadband seismic station was installed in Borovoye Observatory in 1994. This type of stations is equipped with STS broadband and GS-13 vertical short period seismometers.
A broadband IRIS/IDA station was installed in Kurchatov observatory in spring of 1995.

In autumn 1996 a 3-component IRIS/GSN station started operation in Makanchi. The station is equipped with STS-1, STS-2 and GS-13 seismometers.

So between 1994 and 1996 technical reequipment of Borovoye and Kurchatov arrays, and Aktyubinsk and Makanchi 3-component stations was performed under JSP program, which allowed including them into Global Seismic Network (GSN) and conducting joint experiments with Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (USA).

In 1996 Kazakhstan signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test ban Treaty (CTBT). According to the Protocol to CTBT five facilities located on Kazakhstan territory were included in the newly created International Monitoring System for for monitoring the compliance with CTBT. These are Makanchi seismic array (PS23), which is a part of primary IMS seismic stations, seismic arrays Borovoye (AS057), Kurchatov (AS058), Aktyubinsk 3-component seismic station (AS059), included into Auxiliary seismic stations network and Aktyubinsk infrasound station (IS31).

Since April 1997 the Institute of Geophysical Research NNC RK together with the Insitute of Dynamics of Geospheres of Russian Academy of Sciences, Complex Seismological Expedition of the Joint Institute of Physics of Earth Russian Academy of Sciences and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University implemented a three year International Science and Technology Center project (ISTC K-063-97). The main purpose of the project was further integration of the NNC RK seismic network into the International Monitoring System. Borovoye seismic array was modernized, four sites were equipped with Quanterra data acquisition systems, Borovoye - Almaty and Kurchatov - Almaty satellite channels were set up.

The Center for Acquisiton and Processing of the Special Seismic Information was created in Almaty in 1999. it was created as a Joint Kazakhstan - American Seismic Data Center (JSDC) according to the Protocol of the meeting of representatives of Ministry of Science - Academy of Sciences of Republic of Kazakhstan and IRIS Consortium signed in Washington in 1997. The Center also functions as Kazakhstan National Data Center for the International Monitoring System.

Construction of the new Makanchi seismic array was begun in 1999 and finished in 2000 by joint effort of PTS CTBTO (Vienna), AFTAC (USA) and IGR NNC RK. Since July 2000 Makanchi seismic array has been operating in testing mode. In January 2002 Makanchi sesimic array was certified as Primary IMS station.

The construction of a new AS057 seismic array was begun in Borovoye in 2000. In August 2002 this seismic array began its operation in testing mode as a part of IMS. In December 2002 AS057 was certified as an auxiliary IMS station.

The construction of the new Karatau seismic array began together with AFTAC (USA) in the South of Kazakhstan in 2000. Its Grand Opening ceremony was held in June 2002, and operation of this station began.

The construction of a new IS31 Aktyubinsk infrasound IMS station was begun in 2001. Starting from January 2002 IS31 infrasound array operates in testing mode. On November 24 this array was certified by IMS committee.

Works on site selection for the construction of a new seismic array began together with AFTAC (USA) in the West of Kazakhstan in 2002. Construction of a new Akbulak seismic array was finished in 2003. Operation of this array began in January 2004. Data began to arrive to Data Centre in Almaty and to Florida (USA).

Two 3-component seismic stations Talgar and Podgornoye operate in the South of Kazakhstan.

A map showing locations of all the stations and a table with their coordinates are shown below.