A Geological and Geophysical Information System for the Middle East and North Africa

We are collecting and organizing all available seismological, geophysical, topographical, geological, and satellite imagery datasets for the Middle East and North Africa into a digital information system that is quickly accessible via the Internet from Cornell and can be utilized in modeling and display programs. We are focusing our efforts on the Middle East and North Africa and locating and digitizing published crustal thickness, depth to basement, and crustal velocity and density structures, primarily as interpreted from seismic refraction and reflection, gravity and drill hole datasets. We have digitized some gravity maps and key geologic features for the Middle East. All data are being stored in ArcInfo Geographic Information System (GIS), the most widely used full-featured GIS. We are also maintaining a comprehensive bibliography of all the relevant references in a computer database. We are also developing new tools to extract and visualize the digitized databases. These new analysis tools will allow one easily to find and display any data and information in our database. The databases being developed are essential for a successful global monitoring system, such as the International Data Center (IDC) and the GSETT-3 experiment. The final products, for example, will significantly contribute to accurate locations of seismic events, understanding high-frequency wave propagation at regional distances, and better characterization and calibration of seismic events in the region. The database, except the DMA topography, is accessible via the Internet from Cornell and can be accessed by ARPA/DOE/AFTAC/AFOSR researchers. Our Web address is