Arkansas Governor Releases $300K for Earthquake Monitors

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe is providing $300,000 to buy new monitors to detect earthquake activity throughout his state.

Beebe announced he was providing the money from his portion of the General Improvement fund to purchase the six broadband seismic monitors to improve measurements between existing stations in the New Madrid Seismic Zone in northeast Arkansas and near those in Oklahoma.

“These seismic monitors will give us better information about the small tremors we experience now and help us prepare for stronger earthquakes that could impact Arkansas in the future,” Beebe said.

The earthquake data collected by the new monitors will be shared with researchers and the public on a regular basis. The Geological Survey will also post updated maps of recent seismic activity online.