diagram of autonomous moored hydrophones and other supporting equipment

In 1996, NOAA’s PMEL laboratory developed autonomous moored hydrophones to augment fixed arrays likes those of SOSUS. These hydrophones are deployed from the deck of a ship and are weighted so that the hydrophone itself floats in the deep sound channel. These instruments are usually deployed in a array so that the location of a sound source (such as an earthquake) can be located. These hydrophones are capable of collecting data for 1 year. The instruments are then recovered via a ship, the data are retrieved, and the hydrophones are redeployed. Image courtesy of Sounds in the Sea 2001, NOAA/OER.

Related Links

Sound in the Sea

Sound in the Sea: Technology

Maps Gallery