ICE FLOE SEISMIC STATION FOR REGISTRATION OF EARTHQUAKES AND SEISMIC NOISES IN THE ARCTIC SEAS

Abstract

The development of a design and prototype of an ice floe seismic station for recording earthquakes and seismic noises in the Arctic seas, as well as the concept of its use are considered in the paper. The Arctic and Subarctic are among the key regions influencing global processes on Earth. The need for long-term seismic monitoring in the arctic and subarctic waters of Russia from ice, as well as the improvement of the corresponding equipment, is due to the great scientific interest in the complex geodynamics and tectonics of the region, the deep structure of the lithosphere, and the need to assess various geological hazards during the active development of the Arctic and the construction of critical infrastructure there. When developing the design of the ice floe seismic station, special attention is paid to a number of parameters that, according to the authors, are key for optimal long-term seismic monitoring from stationary or drifting ice. These parameters are the use of seismic sensors with an extended registration frequency range; the presence of a hydrophone registration channel; ensuring continuous monitoring of equipment and prompt data collection throughout the entire observation period; providing flexibility in the type and number of sensors used; ensuring operability at low temperatures and strong winds; ensuring waterproof of the main components of the station. The vastness of the subarctic and arctic water areas of Russia and a large list of tasks solved with the help of seismic monitoring from ice lead to the possibility of a wide application of the described equipment. Undoubtedly, the advantages of the presented equipment include its adaptability to harsh Arctic conditions, the possibility of remote data transmission, as well as the use of domestic hardware base.