High quality seismological recordings from the SN-1 deep seafloor observatory in the Mt. Etna region

• Published in: Geophysical research letters Vol. 32; no. 7; pp. L07303 - n/a
• Main Authors: Monna, Stephen, Frugoni, Francesco, Montuori, Caterina, Beranzoli, Laura, Favali, Paolo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Geophysical Union 01.04.2005; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Geographic Location; Instruments and techniques; Large bodies of water (e.g., lakes and inland seas); Marine; Marine Geology and Geophysics; Seismicity and tectonics; Seismology; Volcano seismology
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1029/2004GL021975

We show over 4 months of 3‐component broadband seismometer data from the SN‐1 seafloor multidisciplinary observatory, deployed offshore of Eastern Sicily (Italy) at 2105 m b.s.l. The SN‐1 spectra show background noise levels above 0.1 Hz similar to levels at a nearby ground station. An important noise source below 0.1 Hz is caused by tilt of the sensor induced by sea currents. Seismic noise levels above 0.01 Hz are strongly dependent on Etna volcanic activity. In spite of these intense noise sources, SN‐1 recorded many local, regional and global events. The quality of seismic recordings confirms the validity of the installation procedure and good ground coupling of the 3‐component broadband sensor, suggesting that SN‐1 can be proposed as permanent observatory in this high seismic and volcanic hazard area.