The California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (CSMIP) was established in 1972 by California Legislation to obtain vital earthquake data for the engineering and scientific communities through a statewide network of strong motion instruments. When the planned network is completed, statewide coverage will ensure that strong ground motion for any moderate to larger size earthquake in the state will be recorded.

The USGS National Strong-Motion Project (formerly titled the National Strong Motion Program) has the primary Federal responsibility for recording each damaging earthquake in the United States on the ground and in man-made structures in densely urbanized areas to improve public earthquake safety.