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Wiki source code of Field Guides & Best Practices

Version 24.1 by Jack Dent on 2025/06/12 12:22
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Sima Mousavi 3.1 1 = **Seismic Station Setup** =
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Jack Dent 9.1 3 Conducting fieldwork for a seismic station setup involves a series of meticulous steps and considerations to ensure accurate and reliable seismic data collection. 
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robert 10.2 10 = **Site selection and preparation** =
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Sima Mousavi 3.1 12 * (((
13 Choose a location with minimal noise interference and away from urban areas, traffic, and industrial activities.
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Sima Mousavi 2.1 15 * The site should be geologically stable and representative of the area's seismic characteristics.
16 * Accessibility and security of the site are also important factors.
17 * Conduct a detailed survey of the site, including topographical, geological, and geophysical assessments.
Jack Dent 16.2 18 * Prepare the site by clearing vegetation and levelling the ground.
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robert 10.2 20 = **Installing Sensors** =
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Jack Dent 14.1 22 * Bury seismometers at an appropriate depth for noise reduction and stable ground coupling, typically 0.5-0.8 metre depth.
Jack Dent 24.1 23 * Ensure the sensor is levelled correctly, typically the sensor can be placed on a well levelled paver to make this easier.
24 * Orient the sensor correctly using a compass, paying special attention to the north direction and accounting for declination.
25 ** When using a compass to orient the sensors, ensure it is kept away from metal objects or structures that could interfere with its magnetic field.
Jack Dent 14.1 26 * It is recommended that the following sensors be installed with a PVC tube covering to prevent corrosion and other environmental degradation:
27 ** TC-120
28 ** TC-20
Jack Dent 16.2 29 ** 3D lites
Jack Dent 24.1 30 * Hold the sensor or sensor covering securely while infilling and compacting the hole to ensure the setup is kept in the correct position (level and oriented).
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robert 10.2 32 = **Setting up Data Logger** =
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Sima Mousavi 3.1 34 * Install data loggers or recorders compatible with the sensors.
Jack Dent 13.1 35 * Ensure adequate storage capacity and configuration for the desired sampling rate and data format. Generally:
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37 64Gb card: 245 days @ 250hz or 610 days @ 100hz
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39 32Gb card: 122 days @ 250hz or 305 days @ 100hz
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Jack Dent 19.1 41 * Establish a reliable power source, such as solar panels, batteries, or local grid connection. Use a compass to align solar panels facing north in the southern hemisphere for optimal sunlight exposure.
Jack Dent 15.1 42 * Set up a GPS antenna to provide accurate time synchronization for the seismic data.
Sima Mousavi 6.1 43 * Ensure the GPS antenna has a clear view of the sky for optimal signal reception.
Sima Mousavi 4.1 44 * Calibrate sensors and data acquisition systems for accuracy.
45 * Test for sensitivity, noise levels, and overall performance.
Jack Dent 20.1 46 * More information for logger setup can be found on the 'ANU Seismic Data Loggers' page.
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robert 10.2 48 = **Fire safety measures and documentation in seismic station installation** =
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Sima Mousavi 4.1 50 * In bushfire-prone areas, clear a wide perimeter around the installation to reduce fire risk.
51 * Use fireproof blankets to cover equipment, providing an additional layer of protection against fire damage.
Sima Mousavi 5.2 52 * Install a metal net over the entire setup to shield it from external elements
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54 * Document the installation process, including sensor types, orientations, locations, and system configurations, along with fire safety measures implemented.
55 * Record essential metadata for seismic data interpretation.
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Jack Dent 16.1 57 = **Sensor protection** =
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Jack Dent 16.2 59 Sensors can be covered with a PVC pipe to help prevent degradation of the components (i.e. sensor casing and cable connections), however, some sensors are made for direct burial (no protection). When installing a sensor, only use these two options. Do not try to protect the sensor via any other means such as a plastic bag or moisture absorbers & desiccants.
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robert 23.1 63 DO NOT: bury the sensors with anything other than a PVC housing or direct burial. Other methods may damage the equipment more than protect it.
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robert 10.2 66 = **Step-by-step field installation guide (with images)** =
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69 (% border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:800px" %)
70 |(% style="width:192px" %)(((
71 [[image:1715740852278-219.jpg||height="185" width="185"]]
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Jack Dent 14.1 73 (% style="color:#000000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11pt; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; text-decoration:none; white-space:pre-wrap" %)1. Dig a hole roughly 80cm deep and wide enough to place a paver in.
Jack Dent 9.1 74 )))|(% style="width:191px" %)[[image:1715740856792-247.jpg||height="181" width="181"]](((
Jack Dent 10.1 75 (% style="color:#000000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11pt; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; text-decoration:none; white-space:pre-wrap" %)2. Level the bottom of the hole. A paver or brick can be used to create a flat base for the device. Draw a line on the paver, orient it towards North and level it.
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77 [[image:1715740874992-904.jpg||height="179" width="179"]]
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Jack Dent 10.1 79 (% style="color:#000000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11pt; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; text-decoration:none; white-space:pre-wrap" %)3. Place the seismometer on the paver and ensure it is levelled and oriented (remember to account for the declination in your area).
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Jack Dent 15.1 82 [[image:1715740934594-394.jpg||height="203" width="203"]]
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Jack Dent 10.1 84 (% style="color:#000000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11pt; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; text-decoration:none; white-space:pre-wrap" %)4. Depending on the model of the seismometer, place a protective PVC tub over it.
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Jack Dent 15.1 86 [[image:1715741200573-382.jpg||height="203" width="102"]][[image:1715741200573-909.jpg||height="202" width="102"]]
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robert 10.2 88 (% style="color:#000000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14.6667px; white-space-collapse:preserve" %)5. Fill in the hole whilst stabilising the sensor and packing the dirt firmly.
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90 [[image:1715741278653-711.jpg||height="189" width="189"]]
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Jack Dent 10.1 92 (% style="color:#000000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11pt; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; text-decoration:none; white-space:pre-wrap" %)6. Once the hole is filled and levelled, drive a stake (star pickets work well) into the ground next to the seismometer, and fit the wire panels over it, driving pegs into the north-facing side.
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Jack Dent 15.1 95 [[image:1715742260851-696.jpg||height="220" width="220"]]
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Jack Dent 10.1 97 (% style="color:#000000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11pt; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; text-decoration:none; white-space:pre-wrap" %)7. Attach the solar panel to this side, and the GPS to the stake (wrap the wire around the stake once or twice so it stays in position if it is detached).
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Jack Dent 15.1 99 [[image:1715741876857-916.jpg||height="218" width="218"]]
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Jack Dent 15.1 101 8. (% style="color:#000000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11pt; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; text-decoration:none; white-space:pre-wrap" %)Connect the seismometer, solar panel, and GPS to the logger and turn the logger on. See "setting up data logger" and "ANU seismic data loggers" page for more details. Set the logger to record and ensure it starts recording.
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Jack Dent 15.1 103 [[image:IMG_0667.jpg||height="218" width="218"]]
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Jack Dent 10.1 105 9. (% style="color:#000000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11pt; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; text-decoration:none; white-space:pre-wrap" %)Cover the logger with a fire blanket, starting by placing it on the top, so the opening is underneath the logger.
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108 [[image:1715742037353-873.jpg||height="189" width="189"]]
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Jack Dent 10.1 110 10. (% style="color:#000000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11pt; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; text-decoration:none; white-space:pre-wrap" %)Once all the sides of the blanket are tucked under the logger, cover the logger with rocks or dirt.
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Jack Dent 15.1 112 [[image:1715742099260-834.jpg||height="187" width="187"]]
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Jack Dent 12.1 114 11. (% style="color:#000000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11pt; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; text-decoration:none; white-space:pre-wrap" %)Fold the other metal grating panel over and peg it into the ground. If the ground is too hard, a wire can be used to fix the metal grates to each other. This will also help reduce noise from the rattle of the cage prevent animals from getting to the logger.
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116 [[image:1715742149920-412.jpg||height="186" width="186"]]
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Jack Dent 10.1 118 12. A completed site. Rocks and sticks can also be piled on the ends of the cage if there is a risk of animals tampering in the area.
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123 = Experimental Sand Burial: =
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125 Direct burials are used for Trillium Compact Postholes as they are specifically designed to be corrosion resistant. Other sensors such as the Trillum Compact 120, Trillum Compact 20, and 3D Lites are not built with this degree of corrosion resistance. Currently, the best prevention for moisture trapping and corrosion is burying them with a PVC covering. However, in particularly wet environments, some moisture can still collect within these coverings. One experimental method that is being trialled in hopes of providing better drainage is the sand burial. Steps 1, 2, and 3 remain the same, though once the sensor is set with the correct levelling and orientation, the subsequent infill steps differ. Once the open PVC tube is placed around the sensor, infill the hole around the tubing, holding it in place (image A). Once the hole is back-filled level with the tubing, securing it in place, begin filling the interior of the PVC tube with sand. Hold the sensor in place and ensure the sand is packed tightly around it (image B). Once the sand fills the PVC tube, gently remove the PVC tube while holding the sensor in place (pliers may be required to grip the tube). The last deviation for a sand burial from the standard burial is continuing to place some sand above the sensor, and dirt (or other local substrate around that sand pocket) until level with the surface (image C).
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129 |(% style="width:263px" %)A) [[image:original_c8aaadae-30a0-45b3-9069-bfe03459e06f_IMG_20250525_123128828.jpg||height="208" width="222"]]|(% style="width:268px" %)B) [[image:original_3168dca2-ab8b-4062-9847-b0ee1d0fcf80_IMG_20250525_123247255.jpg||height="208" width="223"]]|(% style="width:273px" %)C) [[image:IMG_20250525_123327086.jpg||height="205" width="211"]]
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138 {{box title="**Contents**"}}
139 {{toc/}}
140 {{/box}}
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robert 1.4 142 [[image:station_example.png||alt="example long term station setup" data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center"]]//Figure 1: Typical station setup (LPR-200 & 10w solar panel)//
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robert 1.4 144 [[image:20230925_122808.jpg||alt="working on a site" data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center" height="467" width="350"]]
145 //Figure 2: Flipping up the back of the fence onto the support picket to work comfortably//
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147 [[**Fireproof blanket**
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