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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Seafloor seismic data study

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5248340

A significant consideration in the design of offshore platforms, for seismically-active regions, is their response to earthquakes. However, the comprehensive inclusion of such considerations in a design activity is a formidable task. Elements of this task include characterization of projected seismicity, respone of the (saturated) soils, transfer of the seismic energy from the soil to the platform, platform response to this energy deposition, and consequences associated with the platform response. A substantial amount of effort has been directed toward the synthesis of capabilities to provide these phenomenological characterizations. This effort has resulted in the development of a variety of analytical techniques. Collectively, these techniques can serve as the methodological basis for evaluation of seismic aspects pertaining to offshore platform design. Sandia National Laboratories has been involved in the design, development, installation, and interrogation of a Seafloor Earthquake Measurement System (SEMS) for nearly ten years. This R and D activity has produced an instrumentation system which is currently operating in the Shell Oil Company Beta Field, offshore Long Beach, California. The current SEMS unit (Hickerson, et al, 1986) is an upgraded version of the original unit which was also fielded offshore California. 12 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5248340
Report Number(s):
SAND-85-2841C; CONF-861117-1; ON: DE86005885
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English