Helping to service a PoleNet seismic station

On Jan. 20th, I went to help PoleNet service their seismic station about 8 km from WAIS Divide. I was also curious to see how the PoleNet installation was configured. We snow machined out to the site, and PoleNet's main goal was to replace the Guralp 3T seismometer with a Nanometrics 120PHQ posthole sensor.

Our first task was digging up the 3T sensor vault, which was buried under a year's worth of snow (~2 meters). Andrew dug the new sensor vault while Don and I started to dig out the old sensor vault. Aurora used the computer to check the status of the 3T sensor and prepare the recording box for the sensor switch. When she finished, she helped Don and me with the digging.

PoleNet seismic station near WAIS Divide.

Don checking the orientation of the old Guralp 3T sensor once we dug up the vault (it was covered by a plastic orange dome).

The new sensor vault with the Nanometrics 120PHQ.

Recording box containing batteries, power box, and data logger.

We also dug up the old tubing for the old sensor cable, disconnected the old sensor cable, and connected the new one.

The WAIS Divide station while we waited for the 120PHQ to center, before we packed up the sleds and snowmobiled back to WAIS Divide.