Infosheet on Nodal Seismometers
Nodal seismometers Seismometers are instruments that record the vibrations of the Earth’s surface that
result from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and other phenomena. Seismometers have long
been used to record signals emanating from various sources and the analysis of seismic data facilitates
understanding of volcanic and tectonic processes such as subsurface magma migration and fault slip.
Traditional seismic instrumentation is expensive, difficult to deploy, and needs to be serviced regularly.
Nodal seismometers (or nodes) are small, lightweight, cable free, three-component seismometers. This
state-of-the-art technology was developed for oil and gas exploration, however nodes can also be used to
study a variety of other seismic processes, such as earthquakes and landslides. The size and (relatively)
low cost of individual sensors allows for easily deployable, dense observation networks that produce highquality data. The University of Oregon (UO) recently purchased a set of 80 Nodal seismometers and is one
of only eight academic institutions in the country to own such a system.
Summary of field methods Field methods involve installing 80
small (6in tall, 5in diameter, 5 lb), wireless, seismometers.
Seismometer installation involves coupling the instrument to the
ground using a five-inch spike (3/4 inch in diameter) attached to
the bottom of each instrument. The batteries, recording system,
and GPS are all internal hence when deployed the instrument is
entirely cable-free (Figure 1). The nodal seismometers take
approximately 5 minutes each to deploy hence with two teams of
people we anticipate that the entire deployment could take place
in 2 days. The experiment design is flexible. The instrument
batteries last for ~30 days so after month one the instruments
will be retrieved, returned to UO for recharge.
Past Deployments
Winter 2016 - Bradys Geothermal Field, Reno, NV
Summer 2016 – Two Towers landslide, N. CA.
Summer 2017 -- Mt. Hood
Summer 2017 – Wallowa Mtn.
Summer 2017 -- Mt. St. Helens
Fall 2017 – Yellowstone and Arches National Parks

Figure 1: Nodal seismometer with Sharpie 
pen for scale.