Development and Installation of Highly-Sophisticated Observation System for Seafloor Geodesy

摘要

In order to monitor a geodetic event, we need to continue observation for long time in response to its long time scale. Even though we have obtained successful results from seafloor geodetic observations with the current system that uses a research vessel as a surface observational platform, we do not fully satisfy the current system. Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo (IIS) has launched a project to develop a seafloor geodetic observation system for the next generation. This observation system will conquer issues inherent with the current system and give us opportunities for observations with great efficiency and higher accuracy. The central idea of the new system is to utilize techniques of underwater robot (AUV, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) and underwater cable to make measurements in place of using a research vessel and a stand-alone type seafloor transponder. Trial model of the surface unit that should be on an AUV was finished. The seafloor transponder was also finished and connected to the existing underwater cable system. We are in the final stage of developing the new system.