Near real time seismic data from the coastal ocean

Abstract

A moored-buoy system for collecting near real-time seismic data from the coastal ocean has been developed and will be deployed for its initial field trial in the fall of 2016. The technology that makes possible the near real time telemetry of seismic data is the inductive modem technology. This type of data telemetry provides a solution that is convenient, economical, reliable, and flexible. We present results of a prototype system that demonstrate the feasibility of this concept. It will transmit continuous data at a rate of about 1000 bps to a radio link in the surface buoy. A GPS receiver on the surface buoy will be configured to perform accurate and synchronized timestamps on the seismic data on the sea surface, which will make it possible to include data from these undersea systems in the existing seismic data network. Power to operate the system will be supplied by solar panels and rechargeable batteries on the surface buoy and batteries on OBS.