H. Ghalib¹ , G. Aleqabi² , F. Khudhur³ , B. Ali⁴ , A. Tawfiq⁴ , B. Salih⁴

¹Array Information Technology, Melbourne, FL, USA
²Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MI, USA
³Kurdistan Directorate General of Meteorology and Seismology, Iraq
⁴Sulaimaniyah Directorate of Meteorology and Seismology, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq

Abstract:

Iraq is located at the leading northeastern edge of the Arabian plate. Its seismotectonic framework is a product of the NE motion of the plate and the continental collision along the Bitlis and Zagros orogenic zones. In late 1970s, the country embarked on the establishment of Iraq Seismographic network (ISN) consisting of 5 autonomous observatories equipped with a mix of seismic sensors. In early 1990s, the effort came to an ill-fated end, and the first 3 established stations were vandalized. In late 2005, we collaborated on the establishment of the 10 stations North Iraq Seismographic Network (NISN). In 2008, NISN’s capability was further enhanced by adding a 5 station circular seismoacoustic array KSIRS. In early 2009, the central government resurrected ISN by establishing a new network of 6 stations. All of the stations established since 2005 are equipped with advanced, three components broadband sensors, and some are also equipped with radio and satellite telemetry. The establishment of the network observatories in the cities of Sulaimaniyah and Erbil, NISN and KSIRS has brought unprecedented advancements to the practice of seismology in Iraq. For example, the ongoing daily updated database of over 11000 seismic events located in Iraq and the surrounding regions.