SSBW - IRIS DMC Tutorial 2: GMAP, MDA, and MUSTANG Databrowser
Summary
In this interactive tutorial built for a learning management system, students will 1) use the IRIS GMAP Station Browser to identify what seismic stations have data available based on a geographic region, a time frame, and a type of recording, 2) use the MetaData Aggregator to explore what type of data is available at a given station or network, and 3) use the MUSTANG tools to investigate the quality of data stored.
Collapse
Context
Audience
The IRIS Seismology Skill Building Workshop (SSBW), which is a free, online, open-access, large-enrollment, 12-week summer workshop for upper level undergraduates.
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
This assignment builds on prior understanding of seismometers, seismograms, and structure of the earth.
How the activity is situated in the course
This is assignment number 15 of 35 in the Seismology Skill Building Workshop (SSBW).
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
Proficiency with metadata, station availability, IRIS metadata tools, types of seismic recordings, styles of seismic networks.
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
Retrieving relevant information from digital sources to accomplish tasks, using correct programming syntax, evaluating and describing computing output in the context of science concepts.
Other skills goals for this activity
Description and Teaching Materials
Students will:
1. Read about metadata, the GMAP Station Browser, and the MetaData Aggregator (MDA)
2. Use the GMAP tool to identify what seismic stations have data available through IRIS based on a geographic region, a time frame, and a type of recording
3 . Use the MDA tool to explore what type of data is available at a given station or network and the duration of recordings available.
4. Read about MUSTANG (Modular Utility for STatistical kNowledge Gathering) web services
5. Use the MUSTANG tools to investigate the quality of data stored at IRIS and determine how much seismic data is available using a line graph
GIFT format file for SSBW IRIS DMC Tutorial 2 -- educator-only file
HideTeaching Notes and Tips
This assignment was constructed in the Moodle learning management system, and has been exported in the GIFT format. More information about the syntax of this format can be found here: https://docs.moodle.org/en/GIFT_format
Assessment
This assignment is automatically graded by the learning management system. The number of questions of each type used are:
11 multiple choice questions
1 multiple answer question
2 free response (all accepted) questions
6 numeric questions (number of stations)
5 short answer (auto-graded) question
References and Resources
During the Seismology Skill Building Workshop, students are provided with a virtual Linux machine that was tailored to include the software specifically needed to complete the assignments. This software is all freely available on the internet, but interested parties are encouraged to contact the instructor for access to this tailored virtual machine.