50 years of global seismology: USGS Albuquerque Seismological

Lab

GSNANSS The WWSSN

100+ analog station network 1962-1996 Provided data for monitoring nuclear

tests and seismological research Contributed to fundamental

observations to plate tectonics

GSNANSS GSN

GSNANSS

Iceland

KNTN - Kanton Island

KOWA - Mali

SAML - Brazil

QSPA - South Pole

Station examples

ENH - China

GSNANSS Then and now

Shallow seismic vaults

GSNANSS Then and now

System assembly

GSNANSS Then and now

Repair and testing

GSNANSS Then and now

Instrument shop

GSNANSS Then and now

Instrument testing

GSNANSS Then and now

Data Quality Control

GSNANSS Instrumentation Wish List

• Low power Locations are often very remote

• Light weight Carrying heavy equipment long distances makes field

engineers grumpy

• Modular Useful to be able to send individual components

• Remote diagnostics Improved tools for troubleshooting sensors & data acquisition

units

• And …. inexpensive (Budgets are tight!)

GSNANSS Instrumentation Wish List

Observational capabilities - sensors• GSN requires very broadband, low noise

sensor 360 s to 50 Hz Below GSN low-noise model 0.0005 to 10 Hz

• Currently use two sensors to cover the band of interest Increases expense … but provides a backup

• Some options for vault sensors on the horizon• Need improved borehole sensor performance

GSNANSS Exciting developments

Metrozet surface

vault sensor

Quanterra STS-2.5 deployed

in a borehole

UCSD iSeis

GSNANSS Instrumentation Wish List

Observational capabilities – dataloggers• Option for 9- and 12- channel

systems • Wider range of calibration

frequencies• Robust telemetry support

Including TCP/IP Developments with Linux boxes

are interesting … but may create IT security issues

4 Q330s at QSPA

GSNANSS Instrumentation Pet Peeves

Cables and connectors• Reduce leakage

Need better sealed connectors

• Improve reliability Recent experience with a spate of bad cables (manufacturer-made)

• Increase flexibility Many cables are extremely stiff

• Thoughtful connector location Some locations are better for borehole/post

installation; others for surface sensor

GSNANSS Instrumentation Pet Peeves

Sensor orientation/leveling• Ease of orientation

Many different approaches: rods, feet, alignment pins

– Success depends on application

Some are easier than others – standardization desirable

Add a North-finding capability (export allowable)?

• Manufacturers need to specify accuracy:– Of axis orientation with respect to marks on the case– Of vertical orientation when the leveling bubble is

centered

GSNANSS Instrumentation Pet Peeves

Accuracy of sensitivity & transfer function• Manufacturers should specify accuracy

We have found problems with a number of sensors!

Retrievable parameters  • Manufacturer name, model number, serial

number, and factory calibration parameters sufficient to reconstruct the sensitivity and transfer function of that particular sensor and/or data acquisition unit