Skip to main content
Article
Seismic and Acoustic Signals Detected at Loihi Seamount by the Hawaii Undersea Geo-Observatory
Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
  • Jacqueline Caplan-Auerbach, Western Washington University
  • F. Duennebier
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-25-2001
Keywords
  • Loihi seamount; Hawaii,
  • Submarine observatory,
  • Hydroacoustic monitoring,
  • Marine instrumentation,
  • Earthquake location.
Abstract

The Hawai'i Undersea Geo-Observatory (HUGO) is an ocean bottom observatory located on the summit of Lo'ihi seamount, Hawai'i. An electro-optical cable connects the HUGO junction box to a shore station on the Big Island of Hawaii, thereby enabling the first real-time monitoring of a submarine volcano. HUGO was active for 3 months in 1998, collecting nearly continuous, real-time data on a high-rate hydrophone. Signals detected during that time include local as well as teleseismic earthquakes, T phases from Pacific-wide earthquakes, landslides on the submarine flank of Kilauea, and eruption sounds from the current Kilauea eruption. The data do not indicate a Lo'ihi eruption during the time that HUGO was active. The variety and quality of signals detected by the HUGO hydrophone confirms that a real-time observatory can serve a valuable role in studies of oceanic acoustics, local and teleseismic earthquakes, and submarine eruption mechanics.

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)
Submarine volcanoes--Hawaii; Underwater acoustics--Hawaii; Seismic prospecting--Hawaii
Geographic Coverage
Hawaii
Genre/Form
articles
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Caplan-Auerbach, J. and F. Duennebier, Seismic and Acoustic Signals Detected at Loihi Seamount by the Hawaii Undersea Geo-Observatory, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 2, paper #2000GC000113, May 25 2001