Güralp Systems Ltd, a seismic monitoring instrumentation and solution provider, and Sonardyne International Ltd have partnered to provide multidisciplinary ocean bottom research technology, including earthquake or tsunami detection capabilities
Announced at the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) conference in London on 4 June, the official teaming agreement between Güralp and Sonardyne will enable the two companies to collaboratively provide more advanced and efficient technology for in-situ seismic and seabed monitoring.
Güralp has more than 30 years of experience in designing and manufacturing broadband seismometers and accelerometers, while Sonardyne’s experience extends to more than 40 years of experience in long-endurance data collection and through-water telemetry. The technology will offer seismic data collection, monitoring of seabed deformation and tsunami detection, as well as integrated acoustic positioning and telemetry for remote data access.
At the heart of the cooperation is Güralp’s new Aquarius Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS). Aquarius is also equipped with Sonardyne’s 6G Wideband low-mid frequency (LMF) acoustics, consisting of a digital tri-axial broadband seismometer, three-axis magnetometer, a micro-electric mechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer and absolute pressure gage.
The Aquarius’ low profile and compact design minimises flow noise but also makes it the most compact telemetry-enabled OBS available on the market. Available in two variants, the Aquarius can deploy 12 or 18 months depending on the selected system options. These options include instrument configuration, health transmission and triggered event or snippet data transmission up to 9,000 bps.
6G-inside capability also means that Aquarius is compatible with a range of other Sonardyne technologies, including Ranger 2 Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) positioning and telemetry, as well as its unmanned surface vehicle (USV) GPS-Acoustic payload box and Tsunami Detection System.
Geraint West, global business manager, ocean sciences, Sonardyne, said, “We really welcome closer cooperation with Güralp. Our overlapping markets and complementary technologies mean that we have the potential to transform what we can individually offer to our customers.”
Neil Watkiss, the commercial director, Güralp, added, “The Sonardyne technology that we are utilising in the Aquarius is allowing us to re-define what is possible with broadband OBS. This agreement offers the potential for further exciting product advancements on both sides and we look forward to further exploring the possibilities with the Sonardyne team.”
