ASTRA – Automated Sensor Burial Tool for Set-Up of Subsea Seismic Networks

Within the European marine research programme the approach for the future is to establish multi-disciplinary networks including existing systems and the development of new technologies for efficient installation of stations, sensors, and near real time communication at abyssal depths and shallow sea. One of the ongoing projects dedicated to these aims is ORION (Ocean Research by Integrated Observation Networks – GEOSTAR 3) with partners of several European institutions involved in marine research. This paper will give a brief outline of the project tasks and will focus on the development, tests and preparation of ASTRA prototype (Automated Sensor burial Tool for Remote Applications at abyssal depths) as part of the work packages dedicated to the German partners involved. Main intention of the seismometer burial is the increase of noise-signal ratio for the longterm measurements.