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The INL Seismic Monitoring Program maintains and operates 27 seismic stations and 31 strong-motion accelerographs for the purpose of documenting earthquake activity on and around the eastern Snake River Plain in the vicinity of the INL. The INL seismic network is used to acquire information on earthquake sources (such as locations, magnitudes, depths, fault dimensions, faulting style, and stress parameters), crustal structure, rock properties, and attenuation characteristics of the subsurface. The INL seismic network also serves as an early warning system for potential future basalt volcanism in the eastern Snake River Plain.

The INL accelerograph network is used to determine the level of earthquake ground motions (accelerations) and response of the facilities to ground motions in the event of a large earthquake. Earthquake data collected by the seismic and accelerograph networks form the basis for INL seismic design criteria. In the event of a large earthquake, INL Seismic Monitoring earthquake data provide validation of these criteria.

The INL Seismic Monitoring Program provides earthquake data and staff expertise to support ongoing reactor operations and waste management activities, assessing seismic and volcanic hazards for new and existing facilities, and acquiring major new INL programs. Current investigations and research include:

• Development of a long-term earthquake database for assessment of seismic hazards and for improving the understanding of crustal processes in the region.
• Continued assessment of historical aseismicity associated with the eastern Snake River Plain.
• Characterization of attenuation properties of the eastern Snake River Plain subsurface.
• Investigations of tectonic and magmatic deformation processes of the Basin and Range Province and eastern Snake River Plain.
• Development of site-specific seismic design criteria for facilities and shallow soil sites at INL.