When the 8.2 magnitude Chignik earthquake hit off the coast of Alaska in 2021, it was a big warning signal.The largest earthquake in the US since 1965 and one of the largest
When the 8.2 magnitude Chignik earthquake hit off the coast of Alaska in 2021, it was a big warning signal.
The largest earthquake in the US since 1965 and one of the largest globally in recent years; it was a reminder of the geohazards lurking, out of sight, off our coastlines.
Offshore events like these could trigger a tsunami, putting major coastal cities and regions at risk.
But, until recently, the geological activity that leads to an earthquake like Chignik was a significant blind spot to scientists, lying hidden and inaccessible beneath the waves.
Now, thanks to ongoing collaboration and development between underwater technology company Sonardyne, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the ability to remotely monitor our restless earth is not just possible but also becoming standard practice.
Using a technique called GNSS-A, an increasing amount of coastline most vulnerable to earthquake and tsunami hazards, including the US Pacific Coast, is being monitored.
What is GNSS-A?
GNSS-A works by combining satellite positioning with underwater acoustics to track seafloor movement with centimeter-level accuracy. An uncrewed surface vessel (USV) with Sonardyne’s GNSS-A payload patrols above an array of Sonardyne Fetch transponders on the seabed.
Combining its known
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