CLS Hosting of mermaids

Mermaids are autonomous floating seismometers drifting with the ocean current at a pre-specified depth. CLS is providing the service of data collection through IRIDIUM, but also proposes to host the data. 

Measuring seismic waves over 71% of the Earth surface (i.e., the oceans) has been possible for some years now thanks to the MERMAID system (Mobile Earthquake Recorder in Marine Areas by Independent Divers). Those autonomous floating seismometers are drifting autonomously with the ocean current at a pre-specified depth. They are equipped with hydrophones to collect seismograms and programmed to surface whenever their onboard computer recognizes a strong earthquake signal. Once at the surface, they transmit their data via Iridum satellite and take their position from GPS. Then they use their pump and oil reservoir to reduce their volume and dive back down, to depths as large as 4000 m.

They record additional data during their dive, such as water temperature but can also measure salinity as well if equipped with a Conductivity-Temperature-Depth sensor. The Mermaid trajectories are used also by oceanographers to monitor abyssal currents, in addition to their primary seismological use.

About CLS

CLS is providing the service of data collection from MERMAID floats through IRIDIUM, but also proposes to host the data. CLS is the only Iridium Value-Added Reseller (VAR) providing this dedicated service for metocean platforms (not only for floats) using Iridium RUDICS communications, allowing users to easily and securely manage their communications with the instrument.