Revolutionizing Seismology: Machine Learning in Earthquake Detection
In 2017, Ross experienced a breakthrough that could reshape the field of seismology. Observing the prowess of machine learning programs in processing and categorizing vast sets of images with unmatched speed and accuracy, he wondered: could this technology be adapted to detect earthquakes?
Ross and his team began their innovative journey by collecting seismic waveforms from across Southern California, using data previously identified by scientists as genuine earthquakes. They created templates—essentially, snapshots of each earthquake's unique seismic wave pattern. With these templates in hand, they developed an algorithm designed to comb through seismic records, searching for quakes that matched these specific patterns.
However, the initial program had its limitations. It was a prec...
