Skip to main content

How Earthquake Detection Works

The Earthquake Monitoring module receives seismic waveforms, identifies candidate arrivals, associates observations from multiple stations, and writes resulting events for Platform to display.

Sensor waveforms
      ↓
Candidate station detections
      ↓
Association across stations
      ↓
Estimated origin, location, depth, and magnitude
      ↓
Event catalog and notifications

Why multiple stations matter​

One station can record motion but normally cannot determine a unique earthquake location. Association compares arrival times across geographically separated stations. Network geometry, station timing, noise, outages, and distance from the source all affect the result.

Automated estimates​

Platform events are automated outputs. Initial estimates can be incomplete or inaccurate because:

  • Only early arrivals may be available.
  • Station coverage may be uneven.
  • Noise can resemble seismic arrivals.
  • The velocity model may not represent local geology perfectly.
  • Sensors or network links may be offline.
  • Events can overlap.

Use an authoritative reviewed catalog when a reviewed solution is required.

Early-warning limits​

Electronic communication is faster than damaging seismic waves, but detection and processing still take time. Locations near an earthquake can experience strong shaking before a useful warning is possible. See Earthquake Early Warning.

Deployment-specific configuration​

Detection thresholds, association configuration, velocity models, alert policies, and external integrations are managed for each deployment. They are not currently self-service controls in Grillo Platform's network settings.