[J01-1] Monitoring of the cryosphere I

[J01-1-05] Advances in Design and Deployment of Seismic Arrays for Polar Regions

^○Audrey Huerta¹, J. Paul Winberry¹, Bruce Beaudoin², Paul Carpenter², Doug Wiens⁴, Andrew Nyblade³, Rick Aster⁷, Sridhar Anandakrishnan³, Jason Hebert², Philip Chung², Kent Anderson², Susan Bilek⁵, Terry Wilson⁶ (1.Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA USA, 2.IRIS PASSCAL Instrument Center, Socorro, NM USA, 3.The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA, 4.Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA, 5.New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM USA, 6.The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH USA, 7.Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA)

Efforts since the 2007-2008 International Polar Years have focused on enhancing the design and deployment of seismic arrays for polar regions; including enhancements in power systems, seismometers, digitizers, and deployment logistics. These advances have resulted in seismic systems that are polar-rated, are light and small, have low power usage, deploy quickly, and thus, seismic arrays can incorporate larger numbers of seismometers.
Polar regions have been particularly challenging for seismic studies. Seismic systems must be designed to withstand cold/wet conditions, high-latitude solar limitations, extreme winds, as well as operate in remote locations with limited maintenance. In addition, the expense associated with accessing these remote locations drives the design towards minimal installation time and logistical load (i.e., size and weight), while maximizing ease-of-use in the field, in data handling, and in telemetry compatibility.
Here we review the advances made in the polar seismic arrays through the past 10 years, and the range of scientific discoveries that have resulted, focusing on the long-term science project, POLENET, and the recently funded Major Research Instrumentation project, GEOICE. Advances in system design include low-power consumption, optimizing solar systems, and advanced power/battery systems that optimize battery capacity and operational limits. The scientific projects include ice dynamics, ice shelf stability, hydrology, tectonic histories, and basic solid earth structure.