Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory

Instrumentation

Earthquake and tsunami monitoring and seismological research depend both on the quality of the sensors and dataloggers as well as on the location and style of installation.  ASL activities in instrumentation focuses on problems such as whether the sensors are responding properly to input ground motions, the calibration and characterization of instruments, the development of new sensors and dataloggers, and the testing of new installation techniques.

The ASL is an excellent facility for this activity.  The test facility is quiet over all frequency bands of interest and has long-term reference seismometers in operation.  The facility includes 2 subsurface vaults in granite, 5 boreholes (both deep and shallow), and several surface vaults.  Reference seismometers include STS-1 sensors, an STS-2, and Honeywell accelerometers.  Test equipment includes multiple high resolution data acquisition systems, vertical and horizontal shake table capability (used for measuring cross axis coupling), a precision step table for accurate sensitivity measurement,  a precision horizontal positioning stage (capable of accelerations up to 4G and displacement up to 140 cm), precise granite surface plate (DC orthogonality test using 90 degree mounting brackets), a tilt table, a temperature chamber, and an 8.5-digit voltmeter, low frequency spectrum analyzer, and other supporting equipment.