June 19, 2017 – Ottawa, ON, Canada
RBR has added another product to their family of standard loggers, the RBRconcerto APT. With the combination of a triaxial quartz accelerometer and a 10ppb bottom pressure recorder, it is a compelling instrument for tsunami and earthquake early warning systems.
This instrument is the fruition of several years of development work at RBR in conjunction with Earl Davis, from the Pacific Geosciences Centre in Sidney, BC, and John Bennest, who pioneered an ultra-high resolution frequency measurement scheme. The package is capable of not only resolving very small signals and recording those internally for several years, but may also be attached to an underwater observatory, such as the NEPTUNE network operated by Ocean Networks Canada, out of the University of Victoria.
Wayne Zaugg, a mechanical engineer at RBR, commented “Through sensor selection, electronic and mechanical design, robust firmware, and incredibly smart software, the RBRconcerto APT provides the best data possible to scientists and researchers”.
From the sediment piercing acetal nosecone, to the right-angle mounted connector assembly (to reduce vibrations induced by water currents), the entire device is designed with accuracy and robustness in mind. Deployed by an ROV, the site preparation required is minimal. Compared to a traditional ocean bottom seismometer, no trenching, caisson, nor glass beads are required – simply push the 65mm diameter tube into the seafloor, attach the cable, and leave. Data is streamed in real time at up to 20Hz, with a bandwidth extending all the way down to DC.
Despite the appearance of being completely bespoke, the instrument uses the same core foundation used in all RBR instruments, from profiling CTDs to moored water quality devices. “Our team designs not only for the current application, but for future applications not yet devised” said Zaugg.
Three RBRconcerto APTs were delivered to Ocean Networks Canada, in Victoria, British Columbia, destined for the NEPTUNE observatory. The first to be connected was attached on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at 7 am EST. For more information on the Wiring the Abyss expedition, or to watch it live, visit their website.
For more further information, please review the RBRconcerto APT datasheet.