Fordham University's William Spain Seismic Observatory, located beneath its Bronx campus, monitors global earthquakes through a seismometer, contributing valuable data to Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and the U.S. Geological Survey. This observatory, named in memory of a student who died in the 1920s, is the oldest seismic station in NYC. Despite New York not being known for seismic activity, there is more underground movement than perceived, highlighting the need for ongoing study, rooted in the legacy of Jesuit contributions to seismology since the 18th century.
The observatory has recorded earthquakes from all across the globe over its long existence, including the magnitude 4.8 temblor that shook New York City last April.
The data it collects is forwarded to Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and the U.S. Geological Survey, where it's used to assess earthquake risk and remediation in large urban centers.
The Jesuit involvement goes back to 1755, referencing the earthquake that devastated the Portuguese capital city of Lisbon that year, spurring philosophical debates about God's nature.
Armbruster said the Jesuits recognized the risks earthquakes presented to their flock and sought to study and understand them, which established a tradition in seismology.
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