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UB geology majors taking their required geophysics course visited the Braun-Ruddick Seismograph Station, on April 4 and 5, to see first-hand how a seismograph station operates.  This is the sixth consecutive year UB students have visited. The discussion focused on the development of seismograph equipment, changes in design, and the improvements in sensitivity, along with some of the history of the station and the Jesuit Seismological Association. 

Examples of key equipment in this development are in active use in the historic station BUF (still operating in OM 011), and the students can interact with the seismometers and recording equipment for real-time results.  They also learned about Canisius’ research quality station, CCNY, and how to access those records for their own research. 

Our thanks go to Erasmus Oware, PhD, assistant professor of environmental geophysics and geostatistics, who teaches the geophysics course, and to the brave teaching assistants over the years who handle the logistics.  It is a very practical “lab session” for the students and it gives Canisius an opportunity to publicize its 110-year history of seismology in Buffalo. 

Submitted by: Mark H. Castner, director, Braun-Ruddick Seismograph Station