Building Science Capacity using

Seismology

Michelle Grobbelaar

AfricaArray

A public-private partnership supporting capacity building for Africa’s natural resource sector

Goal: address limited human capacity in Africa in Geophysics.

AfricaArray

Establish in-situ training and research programs to help build a scientific workforce initially in geophysics

As part of the training and research programs, create shared scientific observatories (initially broadband seismic stations) to promote education, research, and community building

AfricaArray

“AfricaArray” = array of observatories + array of training programs + array of research projects + array of partnerships and collaboration

AfricaArray

AfricaArray

Seismic networks of participating countries are upgraded and can then be used for earthquake monitoring, natural hazard mitigation, and oil, gas and mineral exploration.

To date, 17 African countries actively participate in collaboration with 11 private companies and many organisations outside Africa.

AfricaArrayImplemented in 4 phases over 20 years:

Years 1-3 – focused on solid Earth geophysics, thus a permanent network of broadband seismograph stations has been established

AND a training programme has been expanded which supports 8 honours, 6 Msc and 5 post-doctoral researchers from 11 countries

Results are presented in annual workshops

AfricaArray

The 2nd and 3rd phases will expand on the permanent network, establish project-related temporary networks, strengthen other geophysics training centres in Africa and expand the stations to observatories for meteorology, atmospheric chemistry and GPS, etc.

AfricaArray Provides an example for how to link capacity building in

science to developing an “observing system” If we can do this in seismology we can do it in other

related science fields

Potentially provides a model for developing sustainable observing systems in developing countries Many Gov’ts are more interested in science training

than long-term monitoring of the environment

AfricaArray

Long term permanent support for technical purposes, bursaries and administrative and coordination support.

Thank you!

www.africaarray.psu.edu