Rapid Response Seafloor Seismology
The new ocean-bottom seismographs record shaking with an accelerometer. Similar to the computer chips that measure motion in smartphones, this finger-nail-sized sensor can measure shaking in any orientation, removing the need for the large, complex, and power-consuming leveling systems used by traditional seafloor instruments. Combining the accelerometer with low-power recording electronics means the new instruments need less battery power, further reducing the size and weight of the instruments. The fleet currently has 10 instruments that measure 24 by 24 inches and weigh about 50 pounds. The instruments can be deployed for about 50 days in water up to ~4 miles