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

Some Remarks on Historical Seismograms 499Swaziland. According to the Department of Physics of University College, noseismograph has ever operated in Swaziland.Mauritius. The geophysicists at Meteorological Services thought that there wasno seismograph in operation, but that there might be some old records lying about.They promised to check, but I have had no further communication from them.Madagascar. The Tananarive Observatory has had three seismographs in operationsince 1970, five since 1981. All records can be copied at the University of Pariswhere they are sent for archiving.Tanzania. The Department of Physics at the University of Dar es Salaam reportedthat seismographs have operated at several places, but none are operatingat present. They did not know where the old records might be kept, but promisedto find out. I have had no further communication from them.Seychelles. There is no knowledge of any seismograph in operation in Seychelles.Ethiopia. This is a well-known WWSSN station whose staff would like to cooperatefully with all international projects, but is presently having logistical problems.They have technical staff who could handle filming project, given the necessaryequipment.Diibouti and Reunion. Volcanological observatories in both of these countriesoperate several seismographs. All records are sent to the University of Paris, andpresumably can be copied there.3. ConclusionMuch of the information I have given here is sketchy, but as I stated in thebeginning, I was not on a seismology mission. There was not enough time at theagency for further inquiry, or time to investigate at other agencies. However, someof the above remarks illustrate what is well known in regard to filming historicalseismograms - that it is important to get the records copied as soon as possiblebefore they are lost. Too often, when one inquires about historical seismograms, noone knows where the records are kept.