Ground sector flagship instrument: The ETL3D-5s seismic sensor
The tradition of producing seismic sensors in its own workshops and later laboratories at ING (today INGV) dates back to the beginning of the last century. In 1939, 11 Wiechert-type seismometers and a single prototype designed and built by the geophysicist Guido Pannocchia were produced in the ING (National Institute of Geophysics) workshops; since then, ING, which later became INGV, has no longer produced original seismic sensors. At least until 2017, when the first units of the ETL3D/5s sensor were produced.
The ETL3D-5S is a broadband sensor (5 sec-100Hz) which today constitutes the flagship instrument of the terrestrial production of the OBS & Earth Lab. It is a small sensor, with low energy consumption and low cost. The monitoring of local and regional earthquakes is the typical use of this sensor which is also used effectively in the field of structural engineering. The materials used for its construction and the IP68 waterproof degree make it suitable for installations in the open countryside.
Subsequently the ETL3D5s underwent, within the PON EWAS project, an upgrade by integrating a MEMS accelerometer inside it, thus becoming the ETL3D5s-Hybrid. The latter is currently used by the stations of the Urban Seismic Observatory (OSU-CT) operating in the territory of the city of Catania. To date, the laboratory has a total of 30 units of ETL3D-5s and ETL3D5s-Hybrid.
The flagship marine instrument: the OBS-B
OBS-B is the flagship instrument of the OBS & Earth Lab's marine production. OBS-B has a double advantage over the previous version: more compact dimensions and more accurate seismic data. This last aspect was obtained thanks to a protection of the seismic sensor from underwater currents by means of a telescopic tube which completely encapsulates it once the deposition has taken place. The OBS-B is equipped with a broadband (120sec-100Hz) seismic sensor with self-leveling base, a hydrophone and a 4-channel digitizer. It also has an autonomy that allows laying campaigns of up to 15 months. Another feature that distinguishes it is the modularity of the floats resulting in payload variable to be able to accommodate other equipment up to a total weight of 10 kg. It is equipped with localization systems for its recovery such as Flash, VHF Radio beacon and a satellite locator.