MAEC/CERI Response Team in India
9 February 2001
MAEC/CERI/FEDEX Clears Portable Array through Customs, Heads for Bhuj

The MAEC Seismology team heads for Bhuj to monitor aftershocks in the Rann of Kachchh. With the logistical suport of the Gurajat state government and the clearance of the federal government, the team will have a secure staging area, transportation, and guides.

Dan Abrams, MAEC team leader, announced "It's a go!" along with seismology team leader and CERI Director, Arch Johnston. The announcement came after a meeting with officials from the Institute of Science and Technology for Advanced Studies and Research in Vidyanagar, Gujarat. The team received the approval of the Gujarat state government after a week of negotiations, which took place in the US and in India.

11 February 2001
MAEC/CERI/ISTAR PORTABLE SEISMIC ARRAY ARRIVES IN BHUJ

The portable array arrived from its overland route from Mumbai today, February 11. Six station locations have been finalized and permitted: Anjar, Bachau, Dodai,Umedpar, Kingdom Wall Station, Bhuj (broadband).

Two other sites have yet to be determined. Additionally, a Guralp broadband seismometer was installed today at Bhuj City. Two small aftershocks were monitored on the Bhuj broadband in the first hour of operation. Four station installations are planned for tomorrow.
CERI Team in Bhuj, India

12 February 2001

Thanks to the help of Kirit Budhbhatti and company in Bhuj, the MAEC/CERI seismology team performed successful reconnaissance for siting strong ground motion instrumentation today. The team is tired but will begin installation of a portable seismic array between Lodai and Bhachau tomorrow, February 11.

The Indian people are an inspiration to our team. We have seen devastation but everyone is working towards rebuilding with high spirits.

The team also saw a liquefaction site near Umedpar in which clasts were ejected almost 30 meters with clasts up to 30 pounds. (30 pound clasts were ejected about 5 meters). No one on the team has ever seen anything like this.
15 February 2001

The MAEC/CERI Response Team in India contacted CERI by phone today February 15. Operations are going well. Seven seismographs are operational (one in continuous mode) and are recording about 90 aftershocks per day. The largest aftershock recorded during the monitoring period was a magnitdue 5.1. Ubiquitious liquifaction features were observed at least to the Pakistani border where the reconnaissance ended for political reasons. Dust and lack of sleep are the primary logistical problems. The team will return to Memphis on or about February 25 and will be joined by a relief team (Paul Rydelek, Jim Bollwerk, and MartitiaTuttle) scheduled to depart Memphis on February 18. Monitoring operations are expected to end on or about February 28.
18 February 2001

Gary and Arch return to the States. Click here for a PowerPoint presentation with damage and liquefaction photos.
19 February 2001

Paul Bodin reported the Umedpar station recorded 37 aftershocks over a period of 4 hours. He also reported a 5.3 magnitude aftershock on February 20.
23 February 2001

Paul Bodin and Steve Horton will debrief officials from the State of Gujarat on the progress of the MAEC/CERI/ISTAR seismology team. The debriefing will include a press conference.
7 March 2001
19 March 2001
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