The Silencing of U.S. Campuses Following the COVID-19 Response: Evaluating Root Mean Square Seismic Amplitudes Using Power Spectral Density Data

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, many populated and active regions have become deserted and show significant reductions in their background seismicity, especially campuses across the United States (U S ) Seismic sensors located in the vicinity of or within U S campuses show that anthropogenic seismic noise remains elevated during the ordinary, nonpandemic, academic year, only subduing during periods of recess (e g , winter break) Here, we use power spectral density (PSD) data computed by the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology Data Management Center for quality assessment to calculate root mean square (rms) amplitude and analyze the effects of the COVID-19 school closures We processed and analyzed PSD data for 46 seismic stations located within 50 m of a U S university or college Results show that 42 campus stations show an overall rms drop following a statewide school closure