Historical Seismograms - Evidence from the AD 2000 Izu Islands ...

4 W. H. K. Lee, H. Meyers, and K. ShirnazakiThe idea of filming seismograms for preservation and distribution has occurredto many seismologists. A few observatories actually practice it on a limited scale.However, the Historical Seismogram Filming Project is intended to create a filmlibrary of significant seismograms prior to 1963 that will rival the WWSSN seismogramcollection. This Project is the major mission of the IASPEI/Unesco WorkingGroup on Historical Seismograms and Earthquakes.2. Working Group on Historical Seismograms and EarthquakesAn idea to film pre-WWSSN seismograms was formed during a discussion betweenIgor Nersesov and Willie Lee in late 1976. They speculated how nice it would beif seismograms of “old” earthquakes were easily available, and sent a joint letter tosome 30 seismologists around the world for comments. They were encouraged byfavorable responses and proceeded to obtain official blessing. In early 1977, WillieLee and Jim Lander prepared a report, “A plan for establishing an internationallibrary of significant seismograms”, and asked IASPEI to consider endorsing sucha project. Lee and Lander’s proposal was well received at the IASPEI GeneralAssembly in August, 1977. Subsequently, IASPEI passed the following resolution:“Noting that seismograms recorded at observatories around the world are basicfor research on earthquakes and the structure of the Earth and that many of theearly seismograms have been lost in war, through natural hazards and deteriorationand, therefore, it is essential that seismograms of significant earthquakes besystematically collected and preserved by making photographic copies at observatorysites, and be made available through the World Data Centres. IASPEI urgesthat seismological observatories around the world cooperate with a copying programmeby providing access to historical seismograms to be photographed on siteand by preparing supporting observatory data to accompany the copies.nFollowing up on this resolution, the IASPEI Sub-Commission on Data Exchangeestablished a working group for copying historical seismograms with Dr. JorgenHjelme as Chairman. In 1978, Willie Lee obtained funding from the U. S. GeologicalSurvey to begin the Historical Seismogram Filming Project in collaboration withthe World Data Center A. The early efforts are summarized in Meyers and Lee(1979).In July 22-24, 1981, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(Unesco) sponsored a meeting of experts on historical seismograms duringthe IASPEI General Assembly in London, Ontario, Canada. A joint IASPEI/Unesco Working Group on Historical Seismograms was established with the followingmembership: S. Alsinawi, D. Denham, E. Kausel, R. M. Kebeasy, W. H.K. Lee (Chairman), H. Meyers, A. R. Ritsema, K. Shimazaki, 0. E. Starovoit,and J. Yamamoto. This meeting generated considerable interest in many nationsto participate in the Historical Seismogram Filming Project. The proceedings ofthis meeting were summarized in a Unesco report released in September, 1981 (seeAppendix 1).In December 20-22, 1982, the Working Group convened a regional workshop atthe Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. The primarypurposes of this Workshop were (1) to gain interest and cooperation fromAsian seismological observatories to participate in the Historical Seismogram FilmingProject, and (2) to evaluate the existing seismograms recorded by the Asian