To advance the monitoring of near-surface processes and subsurface changes linked to geohazards, we are establishing a national pool of at least 80 low-cost, rapid-deployable seismological sensors.
Purpose & Application
This instrument pool is designed to detect and analyze environmental and geophysical processes, including:
- Subsurface changes inferred from ambient seismic noise.
- Seismic signals generated by dynamic processes in glaciers and permafrost (cryosphere).
- Micro-seismic activity associated with landslides and slope instability.
Technical Profile
The pool will consist of short-period sensors, optimized for the detailed, local monitoring required by these targets. Their design prioritizes quick and easy deployment in diverse field conditions, with optional long-term power supply and real-time data streaming available for a subset of the sensors.
Access & Users
The sensor pool will be available for both granted research projects and urgent monitoring needs. Primary users are expected from the university and research institute sector. The technology has a proven track record in cryosphere studies in Svalbard and Antarctica (through collaborations with UiO, UiT, and NORSAR), and holds significant potential for expanded partnerships with governmental agencies, administrative bodies, and local municipalities for targeted monitoring of various geohazards.
Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and Distributed Temperature and Strain Sensing (DTSS) instrumentation and Fibre Cables
Fibre-optic sensing represents a transformative technology for geohazard monitoring. Unlike traditional seismometers, which excel at low-noise, three-component recording but are often distributed in sparse networks, fibre-optic systems offer unparalleled sensor density enabling continuous, high-resolution measurements along cables spanning kilometres.
Core Technology: DAS & DTSS
The instrument pool will feature two key technologies:
- Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS): Measures strain rate along the cable generated by seismic or acoustic waves and ground deformation with metre-scale precision and high temporal sampling.
- Distributed Temperature and Strain Sensing (DTSS): Monitors subtle temperature and strain changes critical for detecting for example subsurface fluid movement and deformation.
Acquisition & Application
We will acquire one portable DAS and one portable DTSS interrogator. These units can be connected to existing telecommunication fibres or to purpose-deployed cables included in the pool, creating a versatile system for monitoring near-surface and subsurface processes.
Targets & Users
The monitoring targets align with those of our rapid-deployable seismic sensors, focusing on geohazards like landslides, permafrost degradation, and subsurface instability. The pool will support both long-term research projects and urgent monitoring needs. It builds on existing expertise at NORSAR, NORCE, and UiB, and is available to the wider research and monitoring community.