The Pannonian-Carpathian-Alpine seismic experiment (PACASE): network description and implementation

The Pannonian-Carpathian-Alpine Seismic Experiment (PACASE) is a collaborative project based on a large, passive seismic network comprising 214 temporary stations. Among the primary aims are the imaging of the Earth’s crustal, lithospheric and upper mantle structure, including joint inversions; monitoring and mapping of seismic activity; and interpretation of the data from seismotectonic and geodynamic perspectives. The base of the cooperation is a high-quality, broadband seismic network covering the very centre of Europe: the Eastern Alpine and Western Carpathian Mountain ranges, the Bohemian Massif, and the sedimentary Molasse and Pannonian Basins. In this overview, we focus on the implementation and achieved field goals of PACASE, such as seismic station configuration, general network organization, data availability and access to the dataset. With selected seismological examples, we demonstrate the good usability of the records of earthquake detection, and a first publication attests to the structural imaging capability of the PACASE data. We assess the background noise level at various stations and its variations in time and space. Our aim is to collect all practical information relevant to serve as a long-term reference for the PACASE.