INTRODUCTION
The Himalayan School Earthquake Laboratory Programme (HIMSELP) is one of the important components of the Mission Mode Project of Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India. This is directed towards developing the measurement skills among school children and passing the knowledge through them to the community at large. The program has multifold objectives with indirect emphasis on earthquake recording, analysis and management of seismic stations at selected schools in earthquake prone areas. This program is implemented by Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun in Northwest Himalaya and Department of Earth Sciences, Manipur University in Northeast region.
To provide a platform for interactive learning through scientific understanding of earthquakes for school children and teachers. The installation of seismographs in schools of Uttaranchal, Himachal and J&K. This will provide an opportunity to students and teachers in attaining higher levels of conceptual development in earthquake science education. It is also proposed to develop classroom material and other teaching aids to help enhance the teaching of several principles of physics and earth sciences about earthquake recording, measurements, elementary interpretation and simple applications in seismology. To motivate scientists to spread knowledge and activities beyond the boundaries of their departments.
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Installation of seismographs in 100 representative schools in Northwest Himalaya and Northeast Himalaya
- Regular workshops/lectures to generate scientific awareness amongst the students related to earthquake hazard in Himalaya.
- Collect basic earthquake data from these observatories for earthquake monitoring and research work as a byproduct.
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| Network Installed under HIMSELP Programme in School |
A Broad band vertical component (30 sec period) earthquake recording digital equipment with live recording capabilities, strengthened with software for earthquake data processing steps explaining the basic principles of physics. It is also proposed to equip these school labs with GPS systems for generating newer capabilities at school levels for earthquake measurement & hazard assessment.
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- The distribution of the observatories will be kept uniformly spaced across Himalaya as much as possible, to provide good geographical and region coverage.
- The school’s willingness to join and manage the programme and sustain the activity in collaboration with the designated nodal center (WIHG/Manipur University).
- The school’s assurance to provide adequate space for installation of the computer-based digital instrument and the underground seismic sensor and to provide security.
- Accessibility of the schools to the nodal center through an efficient telecommunication network.
The HIMSCOPE component and its implementation will be overseen by an Expert Committee represented by scientists/NGO’s/state level departments and government agencies and research/academic institutions.
The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology at Dehra Dun and the Manipur University will play the lead roles as the technical back up institutions for identified schools in North-west & North-east part of India. These institutions will work in close coordination with the state level institutions to ensure successful implementation of the programme. Suitable course material will also be generated to guide the school labs for earthquake monitoring and increase the awareness of earthquakes with enriched scientific knowledge.
