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Seismicity
from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between ~15ºN and ~35ºN has been
monitored since February, 1999 using SOFAR hydrophones. Six
of NOAA/PMEL’s autonomous underwater hydrophones were deployed
and moored within the ocean sound channel along the MAR flanks.
The instruments are capable of detecting low-level (mb < 2.5)
events at ranges of up to 5,000 km. The configuration of the
hydrophone array will allow epicenters from at least 10ºN
to 40ºN to be located with sufficient accuracy to be associated
with specific structures on the seafloor (error estimation
is < 2 km within the array), with seismicity from the broader
Atlantic region located at reduced accuracy.
UPDATE:
After three years of deployment, NSF has funded an additional
four years of monitoring. Leadership of the project has moved
to Oregon State University. Plans include the establishment
of a data distribution system for raw data, in addition to
routine epicenter location and distribution to the general
public. The next servicing cruise
is scheduled from R/V Ewing in 2003.
Epicenter
maps by region:
Maps
are provided for each deployment year. The most recent map
is updated daily to show the epicenters processed to date.
Atlantic
seismicity animations:
(provided by D. Smith/WHOI)
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