Isolated sensor Ocean Bottom Seismometer

1573-0581

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Geosciences

Physics

Abstract In most of the Ocean Bottom Seisometers (OBS) used today, the sensors, electronics, recorders, flotation, and ballast are contained in one rigid package. Usually this configuration requires a large mass, a large vertical cross section in the water, and relatively small bearing surface area in contact with the bottom, resulting in poor seismic characteristics and increased noise sensitivity. An OBS recently developed at the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics (HIG) minimizes these problems by physically separating the sensor from the main OBS package. Direct comparison between signals recorded by a standard HIG configuration Pop-up Ocean Bottom Seismometer (POBS) and signals from the new Isolated Sensor Ocean Bottom Seismometer (ISOBS), deployed near each other in deep water, clearly demonstrates the advantages of the isolated sensor configuration. Although the ISOBS is superior to older OBS designs, recent testing suggests that further improvements can be made.

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