Introspective Systems’ Founder Caryl Johnson Offers a Fresh Approach to Seismic Network Analytics at American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting

December 14th, 2017

Introspective Systems’ xGraph collaborative AI technology uses an executable graph framework and an architecture of streaming connected microservices to provide accurate and timely information about seismic activity to the USGS

PORTLAND, ME ­– December 14, 2017 – Introspective Systems, LLC’s founder and Chief Innovation Officer Caryl Johnson has addressed the 2017 American Geophysical Union’s Fall meeting about the company’s work with the US Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS uses Introspective Systems’ xGraph collaborative AI platform for monitoring and collecting data on earthquakes. xQuake, built upon the xGraph platform, is a data storage and analytics system that offers an innovative approach to seismic network analytics by combining complexity theory with an adaptive architecture of streaming connected microservices to gather and curate diverse seismic data.

The USGS gathers seismic data via a worldwide network as part of its mission to improve real-time detection. The sensors on this network generate many megabytes of data per second, all of which is streamed over satellite links to the USGS National Earthquake Information Center. The USGS team uses xQuake to combine and analyze this massive influx of data in real time to determine if it is necessary to alert first responders and foreign governments.

“Seismic networks have expanded during recent decades, and our need for accurate and timely information has increased dramatically.  xGraph was designed to meet these needs,” says Caryl Johnson, founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Introspective Systems. “The USGS has been a leader in adopting new technologies such as xQuake, built on our xGraph system, to deliver the complex data management and analytics required to accurately track and manage seismic activity.”

The USGS project demonstrates some of the unique capabilities of the xGraph platform. It is designed for challenges that have the following characteristics:

  • Massive Data Loads/High Velocity. Data comes from numerous “systems” worldwide, each of which contains multiple elements: sensors, which are part of global arrays, which are distributed in instrument sites, all of which capture multiple levels of data for each phase or aspect of a geological event. xGraph is designed to manage diverse and disparate data from a variety of systems that operate on their own as well as part of a network.
  • Fractal Structure. The volume of sensor data is so large and streams at such velocity that it requires xGraph’s exceptionally robust platform for collection and analysis.
  • Real-Time Analytics. Minutes count in notifying first responders and populations about earthquake threats, so processing massive amounts of data from various sources must be instantaneous. Because xGraph processes data on the edge of the cloud, it does not lose time or suffer from low latency experienced by traditional centralized big data platforms.
  • Collaborative AI. Seismic patterns change, requiring networks to adapt while running. One example is distinguishing the recent uptick in earthquakes related to oil production and hydro-fracturing from other events. xGraph uses collaborative intelligence to analyze seismic stations in real time to compensate for events and evolve to learn new patterns over time.

Introspective Systems has released the xQuake system under an open source license to encourage and enable the seismic community in further development of its capabilities.
The American Geophysical Union meeting is this week in New Orleans, LA. For more information visit its website.

About Introspective Systems, LLC

Introspective Systems is the developer of xGraph, a collaborative AI platform that helps developers solve complex modern computing problems. It is designed to tackle critical issues defined by massive amounts of streaming data, interconnected systems, and the need for instantaneous decision-making such as managing robot swarms, self-driving vehicles, and complex energy grids. xGraph combines edge computing with distributed micro-services to speed processing time while enabling autonomous and collaborative decision-making. Current applications include managing an IoT-based electrical micro-grid, locating earthquakes worldwide, and playing the game StarCraft II to advance collaborative AI. Learn more at www.IntrospectiveSystems.com