New Scientific Underwater Cable System Tokai-SCANNER for Underwater Geophysical Monitoring Utilizing a Decommissioned Optical Underwater Telecommunication Cable

摘要

We have developed a new cost-effective scientific underwater cable system named Tokai Submarine Cabled Network Observatory for Nowcast of Earthquake Recurrences (Tokai-SCANNER) using a decommissioned optical underwater telecommunication cable. We have used this cable in two ways simultaneously: 1) to construct an ocean-bottom observatory at the end of the cable, and 2) to use the cable as a long emitting antenna to sense electromagnetic properties of the Earth's crust. We have also developed a new time-synchronization system that sends a one-pulse-per-second (1PPS) signal and NMEA data to underwater sensors. To vary the supply voltage and current to the observatory and to emit a low-frequency electromagnetic field around the underwater cable, we have also developed an underwater power unit that has a wide input voltage and current range. Tokai-SCANNER has been functioning since April 2007.