A borehole geo-observatory will determine:

• Location and characteristics (focal mechanism, source function, finiteness) of earthquake sources without the influence of overlying sediments
• Nature of wave propagation from natural sources and relationship with earth structure
• Geological configuration of Mississippi embayment unconsolidated sediments, Paleozoic syn-rift and post-rift rocks, and velocity structure throughout the crust and upper mantle
• Location and geometry of active faults and relationship with geologic structure
• Active strain within the NMSZ and on active faults
• Physical properties of the near-fault crustal environment (composition, temperature, pore pressure, fracturing, rheology)

Envisioned Facility:

• Local seismograph network (in place)
• GPS network
• 1 to 3 seismic surface arrays located in the NMSZ
• Deep Borehole #1: vertical accelerograph array for geotechnical properties of the unconsolidated sediments
• Deep Borehole #2: Sensitive broadband instrument emplaced in Paleozoic bedrock above the Reelfoot fault
• Deep Borehole #3: Sensitive broadband instrument emplaced in Paleozoic bedrock above the Blytheville deep source area
• Deep Borehole #4: Monitor strain and fault zone properties across the Reelfoot fault in the Paleozoic basement
• Reflection Data Depository: Purchase existing industry data for embayment, and compile with all other available refraction and reflection data
• Potential Fields Data Depository: Compile all available data, and purchase high resolution aeromagnetic surveys alone the NMSZ

Workshop Results:

• CUS Borehole Geo-observatory Working Group and Website virtual co-laboratory
• Science Plan (nicely appointed) to be sent to USGS, NSF, NRC, EarthScope, IRIS, and displayed on website