2001 Volume 54 Issue 1 Pages 9-16
The needs for installing broadband seismometers in inconvenient places are increasing. A simple and easy installation method is necessary for this purpose because it is difficult to make seismic observatory consuming much time and money. However only a few researches have been done for this purpose. In this paper we try to find the best way to install seismometers in inconvenient places. To decrease background noises under simple installation, we tested several ways to install broadband seismometers in shallow vaults. We made two vaults with concrete blocks whose sizes are about 1.5m3 and install a broadband seismometer in it. One block was set on the ground, and the other was settled below the ground. We checked background noise level of vertical component for three cases of insulation stuff: sand, styrofoam, and none. The noise level of the seismometers below the ground is lower than that on the ground for all three cases. The noise level is the lowest when the seismometer is installed in the underground vault filled with sand. The order of the amplitude of noise level is in proportion to the temperature fluctuation near the seismometer. Noise levels show higher correlation with temperature than wind speed, precipitation and atmospheric pressure. These suggest that the inhibition of temperature change near seismometers is the key to decrease background noise level. Therefore the installation of seismometer in the underground vault filled with sand achieves the lowest noise level, though the level is about 10dB higher than that in deep tunnel at permanent observatory near the vault.
