The Deployment of a Long-Term Seafloor Seismic Network on the Juan de Fuca Ridge

From 2003-2006, a novel seismic network comprising seven short-period corehole seismometers and a broadband Guralp CMG-1T OBS was deployed using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in a subseafloor configuration on the Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca mid-ocean ridge as part of a multi-disciplinary prototype NEPTUNE experiment to investigate the linkages between seismic deformation, hydrothermal fluxes, and microbial productivity. The networks recorded high quality data that illustrate the advantages of using an ROV to deploy seismometers in well-coupled configurations away from the effects of ocean currents. The data is presently being analyzed to understand the linkages between seismic deformation and hydrothermal circulation, and the nature of seismic swarms that are associated with ridge spreading events. A subset of the seismometers will be incorporated into the NEPTUNE Canada cabled observatory.