Hi Kate. No information per say, but I do know that the USGS is adding ten new data sites in the Bay Area here in California. I have no idea as to how long this was in the planning stage. I know it would have to have been a couple of years though. You have to appropriate the money before you can do anything.

Moving a site to another area may be nothing more then protecting the equipment from the elements. Adding new sites is another matter. It could be they are looking for something, or are expecting something, or they have the equipment so they decided to put it to use. However if that is the case then this brings us to the question of, why now and why at these locations?

You may want to contact Bill Steele at 206-685-8180 who is the Seismology Lab Coordinator for the Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network (PNSN) at the University of Washington Geophysics Program. Mr. Steele directs the educational outreach program for the network, and serves as Public Information Officer (PIO) for both the PNSN and for many USGS earthquake-related research activities in the Pacific Northwest. Directing the expansion of the PNSN outreach program, he has worked extensively with private and public sector organizations to better address their information needs and to build coalitions to meet mutual concerns. Take Care…Don in creepy town