Ocean Bottom Seismic
Instrument Center
Tim Kane’s 17-year career at WHOI in the OBS Lab is unmatched! We wish Tim well on his new adventure, retirement!
Tim’s inventive skills and innovative designs are irreplaceable. Over the years at WHOI, he has created various test fixtures and upgraded components to improve the instruments and simplify their operation. Tim became one of the few people in the US capable of repairing a Guralp sensor. He also tested and repaired hundreds of sensors during his time in the OBS Lab at WHOI. He designed the Differential Pressure Gauge step function calibration fixture, now standard for all our DPG sensors. Additionally, he developed an instrument locator system through the Innovative Technology Award, with a preliminary patent, which will be used on our latest fleet of instruments. His other notable designs include the ATK beacon, D2 recovery and LED boards, the battery tester, the Trillium Compact sensor adapter, the Geophone performance test fixture, the radio beacon strength meter, and the D2 positive release. Tim’s expertise has also benefited other WHOI groups, such as OOI and Remus.
Tim has been a key expedition leader for OBSIC, overseeing our more challenging and unique experiments. He led the Skilak Lake project in Alaska with USGS and collaborated with a WHOI scientist on Yellowstone Lake. Tim developed freshwater release systems for both experiments on two instrument types.
Tim has participated in 45 cruises across six continents, visiting locations such as Antarctica, the Galápagos Islands, New Zealand, Cape Verde, Greece, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Oregon, Alaska, Yellowstone, Guam, Tonga, and Fiji. Tim has sailed on 17 research ships, most often on the R/V Marcus G. Langseth, which he has been on 11 times. These cruises mainly involved active source experiments, with Tim sailing as our resident expert.
Thank you Tim, you will be missed!
#happyretirement #fairwindsandfollowingseas
Tim Kane’s 17-year career at WHOI in the OBS Lab is unmatched! We wish Tim well on his new adventure, retirement!
Tim’s inventive skills and innovative designs are irreplaceable. Over the years at WHOI, he has created various test fixtures and upgraded components to improve the instruments and simplify their operation. Tim became one of the few people in the US capable of repairing a Guralp sensor. He also tested and repaired hundreds of sensors during his time in the OBS Lab at WHOI. He designed the Differential Pressure Gauge step function calibration fixture, now standard for all our DPG sensors. Additionally, he developed an instrument locator system through the Innovative Technology Award, with a preliminary patent, which will be used on our latest fleet of instruments. His other notable designs include the ATK beacon, D2 recovery and LED boards, the battery tester, the Trillium Compact sensor adapter, the Geophone performance test fixture, the radio beacon strength meter, and the D2 positive release. Tim’s expertise has also benefited other WHOI groups, such as OOI and Remus.
Tim has been a key expedition leader for OBSIC, overseeing our more challenging and unique experiments. He led the Skilak Lake project in Alaska with USGS and collaborated with a WHOI scientist on Yellowstone Lake. Tim developed freshwater release systems for both experiments on two instrument types.
Tim has participated in 45 cruises across six continents, visiting locations such as Antarctica, the Galápagos Islands, New Zealand, Cape Verde, Greece, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Oregon, Alaska, Yellowstone, Guam, Tonga, and Fiji. Tim has sailed on 17 research ships, most often on the R/V Marcus G. Langseth, which he has been on 11 times. These cruises mainly involved active source experiments, with Tim sailing as our resident expert.
Thank you Tim, you will be missed!
#happyretirement #fairwindsandfollowingseas
8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia shakes sensors on OBSIC testing slab in Woods Hole, MA!
🌏: USGS
📊📈: OBSIC
#ocean #research #seismic #earthquake #NSFfunded #whoi #kamchatka #kamchatkapeninsula #kamchatkaearthquake #seismometer #googleearth
8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia shakes sensors on OBSIC testing slab in Woods Hole, MA!
🌏: USGS
📊📈: OBSIC
#ocean #research #seismic #earthquake #NSFfunded #whoi #kamchatka #kamchatkapeninsula #kamchatkaearthquake #seismometer #googleearth
#ROVJason to the rescue! In September 2022, 15 OBSs were deployed at Axial Seamount to capture an eruption of the seamount. In August and September 2023, the instruments were recovered, re-batteried, and redeployed, still aiming to catch the eruption. Unfortunately, one of the instruments was not recovered via typical procedures of releasing its anchor. In September 2024, the @rv.atlantis with #ROVJason dove down to the instrument and brought it back to the surface.
📹: Captured by ROV Jason as part of AT5029 with PI Deborah Kelley and Expedition Leader Chris Judge
#NSFfunded #arra_obs #rvatlantis #deepsea #AxialSeamount #STEM #researchvessel #ocean #research #seismic #whoi #technology
#ROVJason to the rescue! In September 2022, 15 OBSs were deployed at Axial Seamount to capture an eruption of the seamount. In August and September 2023, the instruments were recovered, re-batteried, and redeployed, still aiming to catch the eruption. Unfortunately, one of the instruments was not recovered via typical procedures of releasing its anchor. In September 2024, the @rv.atlantis with #ROVJason dove down to the instrument and brought it back to the surface.
📹: Captured by ROV Jason as part of AT5029 with PI Deborah Kelley and Expedition Leader Chris Judge
#NSFfunded #arra_obs #rvatlantis #deepsea #AxialSeamount #STEM #researchvessel #ocean #research #seismic #whoi #technology
When the recovery of an OBS at Axial Seamount was unsuccessful, OBSIC was fortunate to get a little help from remotely operative vehicle (ROV) Jason aboard the @rv.atlantis. OBSIC Director, John Collins, who was 2,800 miles away in Woods Hole, MA was in constant communication with the #ROVJason team as it located the instrument. John watched a live video feed at 1,500 meters deep as #ROVJason was skillfully maneuvered around the OBS. The live view of the instrument on the seafloor would help to determine why it failed to release its anchor and if there were any hazards to the removal process. Jason then secured the instrument and brought it back to the surface. A few days later, the OBSIC group identified the point of failure and restored the system to working order.
🌊📸📹: Captured by ROV Jason as part of AT5029 with PI Deborah Kelley and Expedition Leader Chris Judge
🖥📸📹: @ngilles1
#NSFfunded #collaboration #arra_obs #rvatlantis #deepsea #AxialSeamount #STEM #researchvessel #ocean #research #seismic #whoi #technology
When the recovery of an OBS at Axial Seamount was unsuccessful, OBSIC was fortunate to get a little help from remotely operative vehicle (ROV) Jason aboard the @rv.atlantis. OBSIC Director, John Collins, who was 2,800 miles away in Woods Hole, MA was in constant communication with the #ROVJason team as it located the instrument. John watched a live video feed at 1,500 meters deep as #ROVJason was skillfully maneuvered around the OBS. The live view of the instrument on the seafloor would help to determine why it failed to release its anchor and if there were any hazards to the removal process. Jason then secured the instrument and brought it back to the surface. A few days later, the OBSIC group identified the point of failure and restored the system to working order.
🌊📸📹: Captured by ROV Jason as part of AT5029 with PI Deborah Kelley and Expedition Leader Chris Judge
🖥📸📹: @ngilles1
#NSFfunded #collaboration #arra_obs #rvatlantis #deepsea #AxialSeamount #STEM #researchvessel #ocean #research #seismic #whoi #technology
Since 2018, OBSIC has enthusiastically supported the training and mentoring of local high school students with an interest in technology through the Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School’s (UCT) cooperative education program. Under this supervised on-the-job training, juniors and seniors spend a minimum of 30 hours every other week working outside of the classroom. OBSIC has been fortunate to have multiple students from UCT and our current student is junior, Max Buckley. Max hit the ground running in January 2025 and has been a great asset to the lab already! He assisted in the assembly of 73 instruments for two cruises, tested various OBS components in the lab and even participated in a short cruise aboard R/V Tioga to recover a few OBSs off the Weepeckets Islands. We value this mutually beneficial relationship and hope it continues for years to come!
To learn more about the UCT Cooperative Education program, see 🔗 in bio.
📸 @hannahbrewer34
#NSFfunded #RVTioga #STEM #OJT #ocean #research #seismic #whoi #technology #manta_obs
Since 2018, OBSIC has enthusiastically supported the training and mentoring of local high school students with an interest in technology through the Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School’s (UCT) cooperative education program. Under this supervised on-the-job training, juniors and seniors spend a minimum of 30 hours every other week working outside of the classroom. OBSIC has been fortunate to have multiple students from UCT and our current student is junior, Max Buckley. Max hit the ground running in January 2025 and has been a great asset to the lab already! He assisted in the assembly of 73 instruments for two cruises, tested various OBS components in the lab and even participated in a short cruise aboard R/V Tioga to recover a few OBSs off the Weepeckets Islands. We value this mutually beneficial relationship and hope it continues for years to come!
To learn more about the UCT Cooperative Education program, see 🔗 in bio.
📸 @hannahbrewer34
#NSFfunded #RVTioga #STEM #OJT #ocean #research #seismic #whoi #technology #manta_obs
OBSIC’s newest OBS design, the Manta OBS, underwent a second round of testing in the waters near the Weepecket Islands. This enabled the team to practice deploying and recovering the instrument, assess internal improvements, and evaluate the deployment data.
📸📹 Dan Kot, Max Buckley, and Hannah Brewer
#NSFfunded #ocean #research #seismic #whoi #technology #manta_obs #rvtioga
OBSIC’s newest OBS design, the Manta OBS, underwent a second round of testing in the waters near the Weepecket Islands. This enabled the team to practice deploying and recovering the instrument, assess internal improvements, and evaluate the deployment data.
📸📹 Dan Kot, Max Buckley, and Hannah Brewer
#NSFfunded #ocean #research #seismic #whoi #technology #manta_obs #rvtioga
Earthquake Hunters Ep 5: Dat! Date! Date!
📸📹: Nathan Miller (USGS) and @hannahbrewer34 (WHOI)
Earthquake Damage Imagery: USGS, Casey Ressler, Khalil Hamra/ Associated Press, Pacific Standard, the City of Rio Dell
#ocean #research #seismic #earthquake #rapidresponse_obs #sercel #capemendocino #eureka #humboltbay #who
See 🔗 in bio for additional information!
Earthquake Hunters Ep 5: Dat! Date! Date!
📸📹: Nathan Miller (USGS) and @hannahbrewer34 (WHOI)
Earthquake Damage Imagery: USGS, Casey Ressler, Khalil Hamra/ Associated Press, Pacific Standard, the City of Rio Dell
#ocean #research #seismic #earthquake #rapidresponse_obs #sercel #capemendocino #eureka #humboltbay #who
See 🔗 in bio for additional information!
Earthquake Hunters Ep 4: First rapid response deployment and recovery is complete!
📸🎥: Nathan Miller (USGS) and @hannahbrewer34 (WHOI)
#ocean #research #seismic #earthquake #rapidresponse_obs #sercel #capemendocino #eurekaca #humboltbay #whoi #rvcoralsea #calpolyhumboldt
Earthquake Hunters Ep 4: First rapid response deployment and recovery is complete!
📸🎥: Nathan Miller (USGS) and @hannahbrewer34 (WHOI)
#ocean #research #seismic #earthquake #rapidresponse_obs #sercel #capemendocino #eurekaca #humboltbay #whoi #rvcoralsea #calpolyhumboldt
Earthquake Hunters Ep 3: Fastest rapid response in U.S. history, just 11 days!
📸📹: Nathan Miller (USGS) and @hannahbrewer34 (WHOI)
#ocean #research #seismic #earthquake #rapidresponse_obs #sercel #capemendocino #eurekaca #humboltbay #whoi #uscg #coastguard #gocoastguard #uscgcbarracuda #cgcbarracuda
Earthquake Hunters Ep 3: Fastest rapid response in U.S. history, just 11 days!
📸📹: Nathan Miller (USGS) and @hannahbrewer34 (WHOI)
#ocean #research #seismic #earthquake #rapidresponse_obs #sercel #capemendocino #eurekaca #humboltbay #whoi #uscg #coastguard #gocoastguard #uscgcbarracuda #cgcbarracuda
Earthquake Hunters Ep 2: Instrument mobilization, landslides, and weather delays!
📸📹: Nathan Miller (USGS) and @hannahbrewer34 (WHOI)
#ocean #research #seismic #earthquake #landslide #rapidresponse_obs #sercel #capemendocino #eurekaca #humboltbay #ferndaleca #whoi #uscg #coastguard #gocoastguard #uscgcbarracuda #cgcbarracuda
Earthquake Hunters Ep 2: Instrument mobilization, landslides, and weather delays!
📸📹: Nathan Miller (USGS) and @hannahbrewer34 (WHOI)
#ocean #research #seismic #earthquake #landslide #rapidresponse_obs #sercel #capemendocino #eurekaca #humboltbay #ferndaleca #whoi #uscg #coastguard #gocoastguard #uscgcbarracuda #cgcbarracuda
Earthquake Hunters Ep 1: 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Northern California off Cape Mendocino 🫨
📸📹: @hannahbrewer34
#ocean #research #seismic #earthquake #rapidresponse_obs #sercel #capemendocino #whoi #eurekaca #humboltbay
Earthquake Hunters Ep 1: 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Northern California off Cape Mendocino 🫨
📸📹: @hannahbrewer34
#ocean #research #seismic #earthquake #rapidresponse_obs #sercel #capemendocino #whoi #eurekaca #humboltbay
Mob. Deploy. Recover. Demob. Repeat.
#obsic #whoi #nsffunded #lablife #shoplife #techlife #seismic #mobilization #workinprogress #trusttheprocess #sciencelab
Mob. Deploy. Recover. Demob. Repeat.
#obsic #whoi #nsffunded #lablife #shoplife #techlife #seismic #mobilization #workinprogress #trusttheprocess #sciencelab
Instrumentation
OBSIC maintains a fleet of more than 115 instruments, both short and long period. LEARN MORE about the detailed specifications of each.
Experiment Planning
Are you writing a proposal and need an Informational Budget? We've compiled some information to help get you started. LEARN MORE
