Western Arctic Regional Network of Seismographs (WARNS): History, challenges and improvements in continuous broadband seismic data recordings in northwestern Canada

The Western Arctic Regional Network of Seismographs (WARNS) is a collection of 20 seismic stations that addresses critical gaps in the seismic network coverage in northwestern Canada. This seismic network has a complex history of adoption and integration of past temporary seismic experiments. We summarize this history along with the challenges in operating in the Canadian North. The WARNS stations provide continuous, weak-motion broadband seismic recordings. The data from these are made accessible (in real time for many stations) via integration within the EarthScope Data Management Centre. This enables open access and facilitates improvements in regional earthquake monitoring and geoscientific discovery. Northwestern Canada is geologically and tectonically complex, which leads to elevated geohazard potential. The environment in the Canadian north is also rapidly evolving in response to climate change, which has the potential to enhance hazards. Studies that rely on data from WARNS play an important role in developing adaptation strategies for the evolving needs and hazards in Canada’s north.