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RBRquartz³ APT: Innovative Instrumentation for Enhanced Marine Seismic Monitoring on Ocean Networks Canada’s NEPTUNE Cabled Observatory

Description: 

In collaboration with Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) and the Pacific Geoscience Centre (PGC), RBR Ltd. has developed the RBRquartz³ APT—an innovative cylindrical instrument designed to measure triaxial Acceleration, Pressure, and Temperature (APT) in underwater environments. With a compact form factor (approximately 7cm in diameter and 90cm in length), the APT is typically deployed by pushing it vertically into sub-seafloor sediment to optimize coupling and to mitigate current-induced noise. Distinguishing itself from conventional strong-motion seismometers, the APT features a broad bandwidth, extending from DC to its sampling rate limit. It is available in two configurations: a low-power serial instrument suitable for extended autonomous deployments and an advanced version equipped with ethernet and NTP timing tailored for cabled Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) applications, each supporting maximum sampling rates of 16 and 20 samples per second, respectively. Beyond its role in EEW, the APT serves as a multifunctional tool, enabling the concurrent investigation of geodetic, geodynamic, seismic, and oceanographic phenomena within a unified package.

This presentation showcases data acquired from multiple APTs operated since the prototype's initial deployment in 2015, particularly those integrated into the NEPTUNE cabled observatory as part of ONC's EEW system. A comparative analysis is conducted by comparing APT performance with conventional strong-motion measurements obtained from co-located Nanometrics Titan instruments. These insights illuminate the APT's efficacy in EEW, other seismological, and oceanogrpahic applications. Additionally, preliminary findings from autonomous APT deployments, in conjunction with RBRquartz³ BPR|zero self-calibrating Bottom Pressure Recorders are presented. These autonomous deployments are part of the Northern Cascadia Subduction Zone Observatory (NCSZO) infrastructure, focusing on monitoring tectonic deformation offshore Vancouver Island.

Session: Marine Seismoacoustics [Poster Session]

Type: Poster

Date: 5/1/2024

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Angela

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: 

Authors