Optimizing Ocean Bottom Seismometers for Shallow Water Using Shielding and Horizontal Pressure Gradient Data

We show large “shields” can significantly reduce horizontal component noise levels for ocean bottom seismometers by shielding the seismic sensors from shaking due to ocean currents. However, at short period (<1 s) some noise from vibration or rocking of the shield under current can partly couple through the ground causing peaks in the noise spectra. Deformation of the seafloor under ocean wave loading (“compliance”) raises noise levels at long period (>5 s) for both vertical and horizontal components at shallow water sites. Pressure gauge data is now routinely used to predict and remove this source of noise on vertical component data. We have developed horizontal pressure gradient (HPG) gauges to measure and remove this source of noise from horizontal component data. The combination of HPG data and shielding enables low noise long period seismic observations at otherwise very noisy shallow seafloor sites.