A free-fall direct-recording ocean bottom seismograph

A compact and relatively low-cost ocean bottom seismograph has been constructed for use in marine seismic research. The instrument is deployed as a free-fall package and can record for 12.5 days. Signals from a vertical geophone, a hydrophone, and a clock are direct recorded on four channels of 6.35×10^-3 m magnetic tape. A timed-release system returns the instrument to the surface.     

Bottom seismometer observation of airgun signals at Lopez Island

First arrival compressional wave signals from an airgun source, as detected by a variety of seismometers in a shallow bay, are remarkably uniform. However, minor variations in wavelet appearance imply some combination of the instrument response and coupling to the bottom. Signal spectra show typically a spectral peak at 12 Hz and an envelope very similar to that expected from an airgun source. Those instruments with a decoupled geophone package have spectra most like the theoretical spectrum but spectra for the other instruments are not significantly different. Little variation exists in spectra between tripod-mounted and inverted-pendulum OBS configurations for the low amplitude P-waves observed here. The signal source is the principal influence on the resulting spectra rather than OBS configuration or bottom coupling.     

On the use of an externally deployed geophone package on an Ocean Bottom Seismometer

We describe a recent modification to the MIT Ocean Bottom Seismometer by which the geophones are housed in a separate package that is deployed on the sea floor about 1 m distance from the main unit several hours after the OBS reaches the ocean bottom. Records from deep-sea experiments and shallow-water tests show two improvements over records from geophones housed in the main instrument package. Signals recorded by the external geophones have a much better signal-to-noise ratio because tape recorder noise and instrument vibrations generated by water currents are effectively eliminated. As a result, the overall frequency response of the sensors to ground motion has a demonstrably smoother spectral shape. The second improvement is that the cross coupling of horizontal instrument motion to vertical ground motion is apparently greatly reduced because of the simpler design for the sensor package.     

underwThe Hawaii-2 Observatory seismic system

The Hawaii-2 Observatory seismic system is currently transmitting high-quality seismic data from the ocean floor in the central NE Pacific Ocean through Hawaii to the IRIS Data Management Center. The system includes broad-band seismic, geophone, acoustic, and ocean current sensors. The seismic sensors are buried about 0.4 m below the ocean floor to improve coupling to the ocean bottom and to reduce noise levels. The system can be remotely calibrated, leveled and locked, and gains can be changed on command from shore. Data are temporarily stored in the seismic package for retransmission as needed to correct for transmission problems and to prevent loss of data. Data generated are valuable for studies of the Earth's structure and the dynamics of earthquakes     

数字检波器在地震勘探中的应用效果

随着地震勘探精度的要求和发展,对地震仪器和检波器的要求也不断提高,只有接收到来自地下的有效反射信号,尤其是深层的高频弱反射信号,才能通过室内处理达到提高勘探精度的目的。数字检波器具有直接输出数字、高保真矢量场、感应器倾斜校正等特点,其动态范围与目前最先进的地震仪器相匹配,对来自地下的地震波没有改造,真实地记录了地震波的特性。针对数字检波器的特性进行了系统试验,通过试验效果分析认为:在信噪比方面,单个数字检波器与单个普通检波器无明显的差别,但单个数字检波器的信噪比明显低于多个普通检波器组合的信噪比;在能量方面,单个数字检波器的能量相当于多个普通检波器组合的能量;在频率方面,教字检波器比普通检波器的频带宽,可以预测,数字检波器将广泛地应用于高分辨率地震勘探中。     

Design and tests of a trawl-resistant package for an acousticDoppler current profiler

A package designed to protect an RD Instrument Ltd. acoustic Doppler current profiler survived several passages of a bottom trawl. The package, in the shape of a truncated pyramid, has a base 4 m by 3.3 m and a height of 53 cm. The authors describe the package, its deployment method, and field test results where a trawl was repeatedly dragged over the unit. The device has been used successfully three times on the continental shelf. Some acoustic measurements were also made to ascertain the effect of the package on the beam pattern. The results show that this design can protect the instrument from bottom trawls and the acoustic beams are minimally affected by the plastic plate in front of the instrument transducers     

探讨高频检波器与低截处理的替代关系

地震检波器是实现把机械振动转换为电信号的传感器,不同检波器具有不同的相位特性和频率特性。从检波器的振动理论方程着手,分析了地震资料反射品质与检波器特性的关系。结合地质任务和技术指标要求,在相同采集因素条件下,执行特定的试验内容,考核了不同检波器类型及其性能,对资料进行了有益的处理方法尝试,获得实用而有意义的结论。在目的层较浅的探区,试验数据表明采用自然频率较低的检波器和特殊的低截处理方法同样能够实现高分辨率的地震勘探效果。     

Ocean bottom refraction seismograph (OBRS)

This paper describes a pop-up ocean bottom seismograph designed primarily for refraction surveys both on the continental shelf and in deep sea. Its development is the extension of our system based on seismic detectors located on the sea floor with radio transmission of seismic signals and used for seismic refraction studies on the continental shelf. The seismic detectors (vertical geophone or hydrophone and two orthogonally mounted horizontal geophones) are located outside of the pressure vessel on the main frame. Optionally, the seismic sensors may be decoupled from the main frame assembly. This decoupling is performed by a mobile arm positioning the separate three component sensor package on the sea floor.Contribution No. 455 of the Département Scientifique, Centre Océanologique de Bretagne.     

A deep ocean release mechanism

A simple release system for a deep ocean instrument package is described. An evacuated chamber holds the instrument to the anchor and an explosive device floods the chamber, allowing the instrument to float to the surface after a present time.     

A current meter with intelligent data system, environmentalsensors, and data telemetry

To measure oceanographic parameters such as currents, temperature, conductivity, pressure, and suspended sediment concentrations, two film-recording current meters were upgraded with microprocessor-controlled data recorders and additional sensors. Two telemetry links relay data and allow the in situ operation of the remote instrument to be checked. In one configuration, the bottom-mounted current meter communicated by a 35-m-long wire to a small surface spar buoy, and then by a packet radio link to a nearby ship. In another development, the current meter relays data to a controller and buoyant data capsule on the bottom instrument package. The controller collects and processes the data from the current meter and periodically transfers these processed data to a data capsule and releases it. When released, the capsule rises to the surface and transmits its data to shore via the ARGOS satellite, while acting as a satellite tracked drifter     

A note on the seafloor coupling characteristics of the new ONR ocean-bottom seismometer

A series of transient tests were conducted to determine the seafloor coupling characteristics of a new ocean-bottom seismometer (OBS) developed for the United States Office of Naval Research (ONR). The OBS comprises a large recording package and a separate sensor package that is deployed from the recording package. In addition to the coupling characteristics of both the sensor and the recording packages, the seismic energy radiated from the main recording package as a result of motion of the recording package was measured. The observed vertical coupling resonances of both the recording package and the sensor package are in good agreement with those predicted by a simple model of soil-structure interaction. The most important result of this study is that significant energy is radiated from the recording package in response to horizontal motions of the recording package. When the sensor package is 1 m from the recording package, the amplitude of the recorded signal is similar to that recorded in the recording package. In the field, this effect will result in distortion of seismic signals and increased background noise recorded by the sensor package if the recording package is disturbed by seafloor currents or biological activity. The amplitude of this signal attenuates by approximately a factor of two as sensor/recorder separation is increased from 1 to 6 m, suggesting that an improved response can be achieved by increasing the separation between the recording package and the sensors. This effect is much less severe for vertical disturbances of the recording package.     

准噶尔盆地沙漠区地震检波器耦合研究

通过对检波器耦合理论研究 ,根据沙漠区的地震环境和地表结构 ,设计出了不同类型的检波器耦合装置 ,增加了检波器与沙漠地表的耦合性能。从野外进行对比试验资料分析 ,在沙漠区地震检波器耦合具有高分辨率、抗干扰、耦合性好、适应领域广等特性 ,接收的地震信号能量、优势信噪比频带宽度和信号保真度等方面均有明显提高 ,将从根本上解决沙漠区高分辨率和深层地震勘探的难题。     

Observations of shallow layering utilizing the Pingerprobe echo-sounding system

A “Pingerprobe” is a system of echo sounding in which the sound source is placed near bottom to improve resolution by restricting the area investigated. It is demonstrated that a commercially available 12-kHz “pinger” with a synchronized shipboard receiver is useful not only in the monitoring of the positioning of a bottom or near-bottom instrument package (such as a corer) but also in making observations on the acoustic nature of the sea floor. In rough terrain the Pingerprobe has measured stratified sediments in some places where the PDR (Precision Depth Recorder) cannot. Observations on proximal abyssal plains indicate that the prolonged echo character common to these areas may result from small-scale roughness or inhomogeneity. When a suspended instrument is sent to the bottom in rough terrain, or in areas of intermittent subbottom reflections, use of a Pingerprobe improves information about the conditions at the point of contact and permits selection of the desired topographic setting.     

A high-resolution seismic profiling system using a deep-towed horizontal hydrophone streamer

A seismic reflection profiling system utilising a surface air gun source and a deep-towed horizontal hydrophone streamer has been developed for high resolution studies in the deep ocean. The instrument is deployed on a conventional armoured single conductor cable at depths of up to 6 km. Seismic data from the 30 m long streamer is wide-band frequency modulated up the towing cable to the ship together with a high frequency monitor from a 3.5 kHz echo-sounder mounted on the instrument package. The geometry of the system allows an order of magnitude improvement in spatial resolution compared with that obtained from standard surface source/receiver configurations. The summed hydrophones of the streamer attenuate cable-generated mechanical noise, and the 3.5 kHz sea-surface and bottom reflected returns provide receiver positioning information. The system has been successfully deployed at depths of 5 km in the Vema Fracture Zone in the North Atlantic, and although initially difficulties were experienced in balancing the streamer, subsequent profiles across the transform fault show details of sub-bottom structure which on conventional surface records are generally masked by diffraction hyperbolae.     

Instrumental waveform distortion on ocean bottom seismometers

Data from the 1978 Lopez Island OBS Intercomparison Experiment and deep sea data from University of Washington OBSs show that there is a considerable amount of waveform distortion resulting from the conversion of horizontal motion into vertical motion, here called cross-coupling distortion. This distortion, which substancially reduces the significance of waveform matching with synthetic seismograms, appears to result from rotation imparted to the OBS package by near-vertically traveling shear energy. The degree of this rotation seems to depend on the instrument surface area above the seafloor and the geometry and surface area of the feet connecting the package to the seafloor. The sensitivity and response of the seismometers within the package to this rotation depends on the precise location of the seismometers with respect to the axis of rotation. The results suggest how to modify OBS designs to minimize these effects.University of Washington Contribution No. 1225.     

A permanent seismic station beneath the Ocean Bottom

The Hawaii Institute of Geophysics began development of the Ocean Subbottom Seisometer (OSS) system in 1978, and OSS systems were installed in four locations between 1979 and 1982. The OSS system is a permanent, deep ocean borehole seismic recording system composed of a borehole sensor package (tool), an electromechanical cable, recorder package, and recovery system. Installed near the bottom of a borehole (drilled by the D/V Glomar Challenger), the tool contains three orthogonal, 4.5-Hz geophones, two orthogonal tilt meters; and a temperature sensor. Signals from these sensors are multiplexed, digitized (with a floating point technique), and telemetered through approximately 10 km of electromechanical cable to a recorder package located near the ocean bottom. Electrical power for the tool is supplied from the recorder package. The digital seismic signals are demultiplexed, converted back to analog form, processed through an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit, and recorded along with a time code on magnetic tape cassettes in the recorder package. Data may be recorded continuously for up to two months in the self-contained recorder package. Data may also be recorded in real time (digital formal) during the installation and subsequent recorder package servicing. The recorder package is connected to a submerged recovery buoy by a length of bouyant polypropylene rope. The anchor on the recovery buoy is released by activating either of the acoustical command releases. The polypropylene rope may also be seized with a grappling hook to effect recovery. The recorder package may be repeatedly serviced as long as the tool remains functionalA wide range of data has been recovered from the OSS system. Recovered analog records include signals from natural seismic sources such as earthquakes (teleseismic and local), man-made seismic sources such as refraction seismic shooting (explosives and air cannons), and nuclear tests. Lengthy continuous recording has permitted analysis of wideband noise levels, and the slowly varying parameters, temperature and tilt.Hawaii Institute of Geophysics Contribution 1909.     

New pop-up type Ocean Bottom Seismometer

We designed a new pop-up type Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) in order to study micro-earthquakes in off-shore areas. With a 57 cm O.D. sphere of high tension aluminium alloy, the OBS system, including one vertical and one horizontal geophone, can safely operate on ocean floors of up to 6000 m depth for seismic observations. The amplified seismic data and the time code are directly recorded on the four-channel cassette deck for periods of up to one month. The frequency response curve throughout the recording and play-back system is flat for the range, 1–15 Hz (–3 dB). The anchor release and the geophone clamp are operated by an acoustic command signal.So far, we have deployed our OBS's 42 times in the ocean. All of the OBS's deployed have been recovered safely. Seismic data has provided seismological evidence for a number of processes associated with tectonism along subduction zones and spreading ridges (e.g., Eguchi et al., 1986).     

Near bottom magnetic profile across the Red Sea

Results are presented from a high precision geophysical profile made at an altitude of about 100 m above the sea floor with the Deep Two instrument package, crossing the Red Sea at 17°30N. The emphasis is on the analysis and interpretation of the magnetic field, including an inversion which removes the distortions due to bathymetry and the orientation with respect to the earth's main field vector. The spreading rates are determined precisely and found to be highly asymmetric: only 5 mm yr^-1 to the east and up to 10 mm yr^-1 to the west. We conclude that the axis of spreading is located on a volcanic ridge, rather than on the axial graben, based on the presence of a zone of high magnetization. The magnetization high (40 Am^-1) is about twice as great as found on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge with the same instrument and analysis. The quality of the recording of the magnetic anomalies in the oceanic crust is much greater than expected for such a low spreading rate.     

The Oblique Seismic Experiment in oceanic crust-equipment and technique

In an Oblique Seismic Experiment (OSE), shots which have been generated at the surface from small (<1 km) to large (>10 km) ranges, are received in an oceanic crustal borehole. The objective is to study the shallow structure of the oceanic crust in the vicinity of the hole. A three component borehole geophone with a discrete variable gain preamplifier was developed for the experiment by modifying a commercially available tool. The first successful OSE in oceanic crust was carried out on DSDP Leg 52 in March, 1977. The experiment demonstrated the feasibility of instrumenting oceanic crustal boreholes.     

An active source electromagnetic sounding system for marine use

Instrumentation has been developed for carrying out active source electromagnetic sounding experiments in the deep oceans. Experiments of this type are directly and uniquely sensitive to the presence of molten or partially molten material, to temperature structure and to the porosity of upper crustal rocks such as those that accommodate hydrothermal circulation systems. Electromagnetic sounding experiments therefore represent an extremely desirable addition to the existing range of geophysical techniques for studying geological processes in thermally, hydrothermally or magmatically active regions—for example, at oceanic spreading centres.The instruments can be operated in regions of rugged, unsedimented sea bottom terrain, and are designed for investigating the distribution of electrical conductivity within the oceanic crust and uppermost mantle. The instrumentation consists of a deep towed, horizontal electric dipole transmitter and a set of free-fall, sea bottom, horizontal electric field recording devices.The transmitter is a deep-towed instrument, which is provided with power from the towing ship through a conducting cable. The transmitter package is fitted with an integral echo sounder, which allows it to be towed safely a short distance above the seabed. Electromagnetic signals are transmitted from a neutrally-buoyant antenna array, which is streamed behind the deep tow.The sea bottom receiving instruments each consist of a recoverable package which contains the instrumentation and digital recording system, an acoustic release unit, four low-noise, porous electrodes arranged in two orthogonal, horizontal dipoles, and a disposable bottom weight.The instruments have been used at sea on three occasions. On their most recent use, active source signals were successfully recorded during an experiment to investigate crustal magmatism and hydrothermal circulation beneath the axis of the East Pacific Rise.