Broadband ocean-bottom seismology

Abstract

Broadband ocean-bottom seismographs (BBOBSs) were first developed in the 1980s and have since been used to explore the structure of Earth's interior beneath oceanic regions-for example, mid-oceanic ridges, subduction zones, hot spots, and the oceanic lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary. The best approach for broadband seismic observations in oceanic regions is that of a borehole seismic observatory attached to the ocean-floor cable, which is realized in several near-coast networks. Considering the high cost of such networks, there is still a need to develop autonomous BBOBSs with a better signal-to-noise ratio for temporary observations of focused scientific targets far from the coast. © 2014 by Annual Reviews. All rights reserved.