Back to top

NZ3D Blog #3: Seismometers come in all shapes and sizes

sesis
Seismometers come in many shapes and sizes. In this project we’re using three types; Guralp 6TDs, GFZ cubes and GeoSpace GSXs. And as the NZ3D team have all had to learn, each is installed differently. The 6TD is our all-singing, all-dancing, self-charging, 3-component broadband quake-measurer. Like a superhero, but one that requires some serious manual labour and technical know-how to put in action…

The 6TD is put to bed in a 60cm deep hole pointing North and precisely levelled using a spirit level. Through a myriad of cables, it is hooked up to a car battery, which is recharged from a solar panel. The GPS records its location and a fence is built around the site to protect it from curious livestock and locals. With soft ground, no technical hiccups and team of keen beans, this takes about two hours (not including the off-roading and site scouting I described last time)!

The cubes, by comparison, are a walk in the park. Literally! They may not be broadband superheroes but we can strap them to our backs and stroll up valleys and across ridges to sites which would be hopeless had we been lugging the amount of gear required for the 6TDs. Plus, all they need is a 10cm hole, a couple of batteries, pop a box over the top and hey presto!

So far everything has gone to plan and we are well on schedule to have all the seismometers deployed by the new year (touch wood). Anyway, it’s not all work and no play for the NZ3D team. We gave ourselves a break to enjoy a summertime Christmas, complete with a BBQ, beach trip and Santa delivering presents to the team! Quite a novelty for the northern hemisphere inhabitants on the team, but certainly not an unpleasant swop!

Here’s hoping our good luck so far spills over into the new year…

And if you just can't wait, catch us on Twitter: @NZ3D_FWI

Back to Unlocking the Secrets of Slow Slip

Getting in Touch

East Coast Lab
159 Dalton Street, Private Bag 6006 Napier, 4142
P: +64 6 835 9200
E: info@eastcoastlab.org.nz
More Contact Details

Site Map

Projects

Get Involved

Newsletter

East Coast Lab Hikurangi Subduction Zone M9 - Copyright © 2024

Disclaimers and Copyright
While every endeavour has been taken by the East Coast Lab Hikurangi Subduction Zone M9 to ensure that the information on this website is accurate and up to date, East Coast Lab Hikurangi Subduction Zone M9 shall not be liable for any loss suffered through the use, directly or indirectly, of information on this website. Information contained has been assembled in good faith. Some of the information available in this site is from the New Zealand Public domain and supplied by relevant government agencies. East Coast Lab Hikurangi Subduction Zone M9 cannot accept any liability for its accuracy or content. Portions of the information and material on this site, including data, pages, documents, online graphics and images are protected by copyright, unless specifically notified to the contrary. Externally sourced information or material is copyright to the respective provider.

© East Coast Lab Hikurangi Subduction Zone M9 - www.eastcoastlab.org.nz / +64 6 835 9200 / info@eastcoastlab.org.nz