Qualitative aspects of seismograph-ocean bottom interaction

Abstract

The parameters affecting the coupling of the Ocean Bottom Seismometer to the ground have been

studied in a controlled experiment in the large seawater test pit of the Centre Oceanologique de

Bretagne, France. An outline of the experiment is presented and an attempt is made to understand

the processes involved and relate them to a simple physical mechanism. Examples of sensor performance are given and basic ideas for the design of sensors in general and ground interacting elements are presented.