Imagine a small stone cottage. It is flanked by trees and wildflowers. This is the William Spain Seismic Observatory. It sits on Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus. The William Spain Seismic Observatory is more than just a building. It holds a story of science and remembrance.
The William Spain Seismic Observatory is home to New York City’s oldest seismic station. It is also one of the oldest in the United States. The university started tracking earthquake data in 1910. Rev. Edward P. Tivnan installed the first seismometer.
The William Spain Seismic Observatory got its name later. William Spain was a Fordham student. He died in 1922 before graduating. His parents donated seismic equipment in his honor. The William Spain Seismic Observatory was dedicated to his memory in 1927.
Look closely at the observatory’s door. You will see a medal of Saint Emidio. He is the patron saint of protection against earthquakes. It is a Jesuit touch on this scientific place.
Inside the William Spain Seismic Observatory, a staircase leads underground. Thirty feet below lies a metal cylinder. This is the current seismometer. It is funded by John and Jeanette Walton. It replaced an older device. The older device sprawled throughout the space.
The original seismograph was very sensitive. To avoid skewing data, a horse was kept on campus. It maintained the grass instead of lawnmowers.
Today, the William Spain Seismic Observatory uses a strong motion detector. It partners with a U.S. government program. This program assesses earthquake risk in metropolitan areas. Data is streamed to a government repository in Boulder, Colorado.
The William Spain Seismic Observatory is part of the Lamont Cooperative Seismic Network. This allows data and equipment sharing. There are 21 other seismic observatory members. They are across the eastern U.S.
The data extends beyond natural earthquakes. Nuclear detonations can also register. Professor Stephen Holler checked the data after North Korea’s test detonations.
The William Spain Seismic Observatory’s data is valuable. It can help pinpoint the location of events. It can provide evidence for the causes of earthquakes. Fracking is an oil extraction process. Seismologists can link earthquakes to fracking.
The data is also sent to Columbia University’s Earth Institute. They use it for further research. Fordham hopes to make the data more accessible to students.
So, the William Spain Seismic Observatory is a hub of scientific activity. It quietly gathers data from around the world. It stands as a memorial to William Spain. It is a place where science and history meet.