Vibroseis trucks conducted geophysical surveys on and around the Cal State Long Beach campus on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, causing surface ground vibrations and backing up traffic on East Campus Drive.
According to Debra Russell, director of community development, the geophysical survey trucks send minor vibrations into the earth in order to obtain the necessary data.
“You can definitely feel the vibrations,” she said.
But as far as damage, she said the survey is conducted within strict scientific measures to assure safety.
The equipment used was redesigned to reduce physical impact on residents, although vibrations can be felt.
“We are working with the newest technology,” Russell said.
Sally Hollis, an information provider on the site, said there are usually few complaints during the operation.
“Sometimes people complain when they aren’t notified,” she said.
The residents of the campus dorms didn’t seem to mind as they ate and socialized in the Residence Dining Hall during the activity.
Markus Rossil, a sophomore psychology major, sarcastically yelled “earthquake” as he felt the vibrations while eating lunch.
The survey was conducted on Thursday, taking place on Stearns Street, between Vuelta Grande Avenue and Bellflower Boulevard.
On Friday, the trucks operated on the CSULB campus south of the Pyramid at three different locations. Saturday, it took place west of the Pyramid at five different locations.
Each survey lasted approximately 15 minutes and occurred within the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The most recent geological survey was in the spring of 2010. The current examination had already been performed throughout most of Long Beach.
The surveys, sponsored by Signal Hill Petroleum, were conducted to collect data regarding oil resource potential.
The discovery of oil reservoirs does not necessarily mean oil drilling will occur in residential areas. New reserves can be accessed through existing oil wells outside of these areas.
However, according to San Joaquin Valley Geology, 82 percent of wells will never produce oil.
Although the surveys are being conducted for business-related petroleum purposes, data is also collected on Long Beach’s geological structure. The surveys can detect potential fault lines underground.
Multiple geophysical survey trucks are used to map the earth’s crust with sophisticated computer equipment to generate a 3-D image.
According to the company’s website, certain information obtained will be shared with several government agencies and universities including CSULB’s Geological Sciences department, Cal Tech’s Center for Earthquakes and the U.S. Geological Survey.
The information is limited according to what Signal Hill Petroleum deems as research data, whereas all business information is withheld. CSULB will receive information on the geological structures mapped in the surveys.
The information obtained is expected to provide an unprecedented understanding of the area’s geological structure and its potential faulting.
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