Open AccessSeismic and acoustic signals detected at Lo'ihi Seamount by the Hawai'i Undersea Geo‐Observatory
Author(s) -
CaplanAuerbach J.,
Duennebier F.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
geochemistry, geophysics, geosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.928
H-Index - 136
ISSN - 1525-2027
DOI - 10.1029/2000gc000113
Subject(s) - geology , observatory , seismology , seamount , hydrophone , submarine , submarine volcano , volcano , submarine pipeline , lateral eruption , shore , oceanography , explosive eruption , magma , physics , astrophysics
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.