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Non US : Ali Osman Öncel, Istanbul University ‐ Turkey
1. Let’s begin by you telling me a bit about your connection to SSA and your involvement
with the organization?
I have been a member for the SSA following the first post‐doc position which I have been
granted on 2001 in Canada. Because, the SSA meeting was held on Victoria city in Canada,
and I had been supported by my supervisor (John Adams) to present my works of seismology.
Then, I continued my membership with SSA so far.
2. What do you see as the most critical challenges facing:
a. The field of seismology today?
Since the limitations of surface monitoring for sensing smaller earthquakes are the
great challenge to accumulate enough data in shorter period, the borehole seismic
monitoring increase both the quality of the seismicity data and decrease the level of
detectable magnitude in which the seismometers are being deployed at least over
the depth of 150 meter. Therefore, we can decrease the time for data acquisition of
seismicity in order to detect the asperity part through the fault zones, but it requires
world‐wide collaboration to exchange the experiences and the instruments. For
example, the work which I published based on the analysis of seismic data through
Marmara Sea region required a decade for data acquisition. As a result of the
smaller seismicity data which were acquired in a decade, we were able to
understand better the mechanics of faulting or the possible locations of asperity
which might cause future earthquakes. Therefore, borehole seismic monitoring ‐
which I believe should be common ‐ is essential to acquire the higher quality of
seismicity data in a shorter period.
You in your work in seismology? Tell me a bit about how you are involved in the
general field to create context for your answer.
Actually, I have worked on exploration seismology for the recent years since I worked
in departments in Canada and Saudi Arabia, which they are mostly related to
exploration seismology. Since I have returned to Istanbul University on July, 2011, I
have considered developing works of seismology. Now, I am about to deploy a
broad‐band seismometer in our campus, and I would like to use it for education and
supporting the works of global seismology. In addition, I would like to establish a
team for aftershock monitoring and crustal seismic tomography since both is
interrelated to each other. Unless we know the depth changes of crustal depth for
regional scale, it will cause a challenge for us to enhance the sensitivity of
earthquake monitoring.
3. Do you think these will still be the most significant issues 5‐10 years from now? If not,
what new issues do you think will emerge?
I think that the success of early warning appeared to be an effective tool to reduce the loss of
human life in the big Japanese earthquake; I guess that the early warning would a good
issue to find research support. But, it requires increasing the number of seismic stations
through the region with earthquake risk. In addition to that, aftershock forecasting seems
being strength for seismologists to indicate both the time and the location of larger
aftershocks.
4. What role do you expect SSA to play in addressing these issues in the next 3‐5 years? In
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2. the next (5‐10 years?
I think that the SSA supports those works well with the good quality of publications and
regular annual meetings.
5. What major accomplishment do you hope for from SSA in the next few years? What
would prevent that from occurring?
The accomplishment of SSA is very important since the BSSA is a significant component of
SSA which keeps the quality of seismic research and distributes the research through the
world. The meeting of SSA is important for seismologists to share the fresh results of their
research. In addition to that, the videos of SSA presenters provide a good connection for
those whom they are not participants for the meetings. As a result of those successful
accomplishments, I expect that the SSA can create the SSA OPENCOURSEWARE as
successfully accomplished by MIT in order to enhance the quality of seismology teaching.
6. How do you think SSA will need to change in the next decade?
a. Is there anything SSA will need to do differently over the next 3‐5 years to retain
its value to you?
Actually, SSA would create a pool for the data and software which have been used
for the SSA publications. Such kind of sharing might enhance comparative works
and can be used for education for learning materials.
b. What if any sub‐disciplines need to be more engaged in SSA in the future?
Micro seismicity is a new subject to geophysical exploration and it also provides new
area to enhance security in mining or geothermal areas in order to reduce the man‐
made seismic hazard. Therefore, seismicity as a tool for geophysical exploration and
safety monitoring seems to me an important issue to underline the seismicity
monitoring works. Forensic Seismology seems a new way for providing new job
opportunities for determining illegal man‐made activities. Actually, I have search
through the SSA journals, I did not see any relevant publication for forensic
seismology which seems to me important for future.
c. How should SSA engage its current members and recruit additional members in
light of changes in publishing and communication?
I think that special issues as a result of a larger regional earthquake seems very
helpful recruiting additional members since I did an SSA publication for the special
issue of Izmit earthquake.
d. What would be lost if you were unable to be an SSA member?
I was unable to touch in seismological works if I were unable to be an SSA member. I
feel better to know that the full histories of SSA publications are presently reachable
for members.
7. Why do you think non‐US individuals join SSA?
Since the participants of non‐US makes SSA to be World Wide Seismological Society, but the
publications through the other parts of world should be supported. Especially, SSA needs to
create a writing support center for that scientist who is not non‐US because such kind of
services enhances the contribution from the non‐US individuals. Please note that the non‐
US people feel better in which they know their writing would be considered under the SSA
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3. Writing Support Board, and their contributions would be gradually increased. I also
recommend that you can organize some courses on effective writing for SSA journals.
8. What could make SSA more relevant to scientists outside the United States?
For example, SSA can keep a relation with other national professional geophysical
organizations, and propose a SSA session within the national geophysical meetings which
can call researchers to participate in the SSA special session which might be resulted in a
special publication. For example, SSA did a contact with Turkish Geophysical Union, and
shared his interest to add an SSA‐Turkish Special Session for Van Earthquake, and advertised
that the presentations would be considered for a special publication in BSSA. Such kind of
engagement would help to engage others to be relevant to outside scientists.
a. How do we ensure that more non‐US scientists are interested and able to
participate in SSA? In SSA leadership?
As noted above, the SSA would be interested in creating a couple of chapters within
the national geophysical meetings, because participating in SSA meetings for non‐US
scientists is expensive, and finding external support is not possible for most of them.
b. What could make that participation easier and/or more relevant?
Actually, the SSA can plan to support national geophysical meetings by creating
special chapters for SSA.
9. Please describe how SSA is perceived outside the United States
a. By scientist members and potential members
SSA is being perceived by out‐site scientists to be shown up through their academic
career, but they stop engaging SSA activities in which they accomplished their career
but they may be still relevant if they still work in the field of seismology. As for the
potential member, I can see the students which are the potential since SSA provides
a good source for their research.
b. By other relevant organizations and their leaders
SSA provides good materials of seismology for relevant organizations.
10. Are there benefits or services you want geared specifically to you as a scientist outside of
the United States?
I enjoyed watching some videos of special sessions, which seems very helpful for me in order
to follow up some interesting debates in seismology.
11. Are you familiar with the developing country membership program? If so, what do you
see as its current value and what would make it more attractive?
I think that it considers the affordability of the people in developing country. Therefore, it is
very helpful to keep people within the SSA organization.
12. Should SSA explore the creation of “regional” chapters outside the US? Why or why not?
I support any idea of creation the regional chapters outside, which can be connected to
National Geophysical Meeting. Or, SSA can establish free chapters. The number of
seismologists cannot be compared to others outside. For example, next year I recommend
an SSA meeting in Şarköy since 100 years past from the date of Şarköy Earthquake which
located in the western part of Marmara in Turkey. Because, SSA created a chapter for 1906
earthquake in Parkfield, and therefore the same concept can be used for creating a chapter
for the anniversary of other global earthquakes.
13. What one piece of advice would you give SSA’s leaders as they plan for the future?
I suggest SSA to create an outside chapter for the 100th anniversary of 1912 Şarköy
Earthquake, NW Turkey. In addition, I recommend that they should include members in
their administration board outside the US. The same recommendation is valid for the
Associate Editor for BSSA.
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4. 14. What have we not asked that we should have, or what input would you like to add?
I think you have asked most of things which has already covered many things beyond my
expectation.
15. In terms of your idea to create SSA chapters within national geophysical meetings, do
you believe the leaders of such meetings would be responsive to the idea? If not, what
do you think would need to happen to increase the possibilities of accepting the idea? Of
non US based scientists knowing about these chapters and engaging?
I think that your approach would be critical to have a positive response. It works if bilateral
agreement works on both ways. For example, you would like to propose a chapter under the
Turkish Geophysical Union since there is a couple of earthquakes which occurred last year.
They consider that your involvement will increase the strength of their meetings because SSA
accepts presentation in English while national organizations consists of given presentation
by their national language. The addition of SSA will provide pure English off SSA chapters for
them. For example, I would be willing to participate in the off SSA chapters in Turkish Union.
It provides a good way of initiating collaboration between SSA and national Geophysical
organizations if it works.
16. What does BSSA stand for?
I think that BSSA is the root of Seismology together with the entire seismological collections
more than 100 years.
17. Are there any new, non traditional roles SSA should consider adopting ‐‐ either in terms
of products/services provided or how it operates?
I liked the format of USGS Weekly Seminar since I subscribed their podcasts under ITUNE,
and I have started to use USGS seminars for my seminar courses. Similarly, SSA can
disseminate the some oral presentations under ITUNE that makes easy to download the
presentations. I know that SSA started to disseminate the talks for their members, but
download options under ITUNE should be provided; therefore, we can use them easily for
teaching as well.
18. Would you envision more than one non US member of the SSA Board of Directors?
I agree that more than one US member of SSA Board of Directors should be available.
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