Initial Analysis of Data from the New Diego Garcia Hydroacoustic Station

The Prototype International Data Center (PIDC) began standard processing of data from the first of the new International Monitoring System’s (IMS) hydrophone stations in November 2000. The station (designated HA08) is located off the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean (Lawrence et al, 2000). This is the first IMS hydroacoustic station that allows for coherent multi-sensor waveform processing. It provides better azimuthal arrival determination than was possible with the older IMS hydroacoustic stations. The station is not a classical hydrophone array, and standard array processing techniques may not produce the best results. Soon, two more stations, similar in design, will become operational in the Indian Ocean. It is important that we learn how these stations can best contribute to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty’s (CTBT’s) hydroacoustic monitoring program.