Development and Operation of an Ocean Bottom Cable Seismic and Tsunami (OBCST) Observation system in the Source Region of the Tohoku-oki Earthquake

Cabled seafloor seismic and tsunami observation systems are ideal for marine geophysical monitoring because the data can be obtained in real time. We have developed a new compact seafloor-cable seismic and tsunami observation system using Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Our system achieves reliability through redundancy using ICT. A software-based system using up-to-date electronics technology contributes to cost reduction and production sustainability. The system named the Ocean Bottom Cable Seismic and Tsunami (OBCST) observation system was installed on the Pacific Ocean floor off Sanriku, northeast Japan, in September 2015, in the source area of the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake. The purpose of the installation is to monitor seismic activity better and to observe tsunami activity through spatially dense observation. The system has been continuously collecting the seismic and pressure data since the deployment. For the seismic data, ambient seismic noise is comparable to that from a previous cable observation system. One observation node is buried 1 m below the seafloor and has a lower noise level compared to nodes on the seafloor. Because the noise levels are stable, many local earthquakes and teleseismic events have been recorded by the system. The data obtained by high-precision pressure gauges have a resolution of <1 hPa which is limited to environmental noise. The effectiveness of the buried pressure gauge is demonstrated by a recording of a tsunami. The system also continuously monitors its operating environment. The operating temperature is reasonably low and stable, which is optimal for long-term operation. Plain Language Summary Large magnitude earthquakes and tsunamis are significant hazards in marine subduction zones. A cable seafloor observation system is essential for research on and the mitigation of such hazards because it can provide observations in real time. We have developed a new compact cable seismic and tsunami observation system to increase the number of observation stations. The system uses Information and Communication Technology which also provides the flexibility to monitor the system and change observational parameters after deployment. In 2015, our system was deployed in the source region of the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake, and data have been gathered continuously since then. Long-term observational data show that the system consistently records high-quality seismic and pressure data. The system operates at a low and stable temperature which is ideal for reliable long-term observations.

Automated summary

A new compact seafloor cable seismic and tsunami observation system has been developed by the research team, which achieves reliability through redundancy using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and contributes to cost reduction. The system has been continuously collecting high-quality seismic and pressure data since installation, allowing for better monitoring of seismic and tsunami activities through dense observations.