PBO GPS Station Installed at the SAFOD Drill Site

Overview

November 12, 2005

PBO and SAFOD, two of three elements of the EarthScope Project, combined efforts to permit and install a deep-drill braced monument GPS station near the SAFOD borehole in Parkfield, CA. Data from this GPS station will compliment the data set from the SAFOD drill hole. Additionally, this station will measure post seismic deformation following the September 2004 seismic event in Parkfield, CA.

With help from Mike Spradlin (ThermaSource) and Mike Lundgren (contracted driller), PBO field engineers Andre Basset, Max Enders, and David Kasmer began the installation early on October 18th, 2005. The installation went without a hitch despite having to work on gravel-filled terrain and digging nearly 100 feet of trenching. Thanks to a very skilled crew, the monument legs (extending to full depth of 35 feet) lined up perfectly for welding and the crew completed the installation and VSAT telemetry setup by the end of the day. This installation represents the 70th PBO station installed in the Northern California Region, led by PBO Regional Engineer Brian Coyle.

PBO would like to extend a special thank you to Mark Zoback (SAFOD), Andrew Snyder (USGS), and Louis Capuano (ThermaSource) for their assistance in coordinating this installation.