Aquarius - Ocean Bottom Seismometer

Overview

The Aquarius is a fully self-contained ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) designed for autonomous freefall deployment on the seafloor. Rated to 6000 m depth, it integrates a broadband seismometer, digitizer, dual-redundant microSD storage, absolute pressure gauge, and hydrophone — providing complete seismic and oceanographic monitoring capability on the ocean floor.

Key Specifications

• Frequency Response: 120 s (0.0083 Hz) to 100 Hz (remotely selectable LP corner: 1–120 s)
• Sensitivity: 2000 V/ms⁻¹
• Sensor Dynamic Range: 149 dB | ADC Dynamic Range: >142 dB at 100 sps
• Self-noise: −173 dB at 10 s
• Diameter: 1000 mm ∅ (with integrated buoyancy/ballast)
• Depth Rating: 6000 m (19,685 ft)
• Tilt Tolerance: ±90° (any angle deployment)
• Storage: Dual-redundant 128 GB microSD (up to 2 TB)
• Pressure Gauge: 0.25% full-scale accuracy
• Hydrophone: 2 Hz–30 kHz
• Acoustic Modem: Omnidirectional, up to 9000 bps; USBL compatible

Applications

• Seafloor earthquake and tsunami monitoring
• Ocean bottom seismic network deployments
• Marine geological surveys
• Offshore induced seismicity monitoring
• Submarine volcano monitoring

Standards & Certifications

miniSEED data format. StationXML metadata. USBL acoustic navigation compatible.