Insitu Marine Laboratory for Geosystems Research (iMARL)

Prof. Chris Bean: Insitu Marine Laboratory for Geosystems Research (iMARL): €2,856,176

Ireland has an ocean territory ten times larger than its terrestrial landmass. Geological, oceanographic and biological processes mutually interact on a daily basis in this vast territory. Continuously recording offshore sensors are required to monitor this activity. The Insitu Marine Laboratory for Geosystems Research (iMARL) comprises Ocean Bottom Seismographs (OBSs), Temperature and Acoustic Recorders. Strapped to sea-bed landers and deployed on the sea floor this equipment allows for the detections of offshore earthquakes and offshore storms, as well as noise in the ocean and biologically generated acoustic signals (e.g. from whales). Impacts include: natural resources quantification, natural hazard estimation, environmental and baseline climate related insitu ocean monitoring. A pilot tsunami detection system will also be installed as part of the network.

iMARL is funded by Science Foundation Ireland's infrastructure programme with support from iCRAG and the Geological Survey Ireland.