Program Management and Systems Engineering Support for the Marine Seismic System (MSS).

The primary goal of the Marine Seismic System MSS is to collect multi-frequency seismic data from a sensor implanted in a deep-ocean borehole. Preliminary testing was completed in the Atlantic during FY-81 to demonstrate system feasibility and test the basic concept. A more extensive test is scheduled for FY-82 to collect at least 60 days of seismic data. For scientific reasons, the geographical location chosen for this installation lies in the North Pacific between the Emperor Seamount Chain and the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. This area is one of the most seismically active areas in the world and will give scientists their first opportunity to observe seismic events from within the basaltic crust of a descending plate. Additionally, in the event that a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is instituted, the Marine Seismic System MSS will satisfy the requirement for a high quality seismic monitoring station to discriminate between natural seismic and nuclear events.