DISCOVERY BAY – University of Washington officials are offering a $200 no-questions-asked reward for information that will lead to the recovery of a earthquake-measuring device that was stolen from Big Skidder Hill.
The $20,000 seismometer was used by University of Washington professors in a two-year effort to map a plate tectonic phenomenon called episodic tremor and slip.
Professor Ken Creager of the Earth and Space Science Department of University of Washington went to the site on May 18 to retrieve data recorded by the seismometer but found that a solar panel used to energize the device had been vandalized and that the main unit was gone.
The last time it was seen was during Creager’s visit to the Big Skidder Hill site on Feb. 19, so it’s unclear exactly when the seismometer was stolen.
It was not kept within a fence or building.
“It would be of no use to anybody really,” Creager said.
Said Jefferson County Sheriff’s Sgt. Andy Pernsteiner, “The only purpose that it has is to measure seismic activity.”
Creager said there are no valuable metals inside the unit and it can’t be sold for much profit.
