Seismic Surveys, Inc. of Frederick, Maryland is the first US consultant to implement satellite telemetry to conduct remote seismic monitoring of blasting operations. In an effort to facilitate cost effective and efficient seismic monitoring of blasting operations by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company on a US Army Corps of Engineers Project in Wilmington, North Carolina, a variety of wireless remote communications options were explored. There were those who claimed that "it couldn't be done". However, David Miller, President of Seismic Surveys, Inc. knew of recent developments in wireless communication technology that would make the vision of offering cost effective remote seismic monitoring anywhere in the world a reality.

 

The Corps required extensive quality control measures that included monitoring and protection of Marine mammals and vibration and airblast monitoring and control. Great Lakes engaged Seismic Surveys as the Vibration Control Specialist to develop and implement a remote seismic monitoring system that would be self powered and would offer wireless communication at the remote dredging site on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, North Carolina. Great Lakes conducted sub-aqueous blasting of rock to widen and deepen the shipping channel in the Cape Fear River. Drilling and loading operations are conducted from the drill barge "Apache" 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Blasted rock is dredged with the hydraulic dredge "Texas".

 

Seismic Surveys and Instantel have been working on wireless communication with seismographs for the past few years. For this project, several options including radio frequency transceivers and cellular modems were considered. After several days of field tests, it was determined that the use of fixed satellite phones powered by solar power were the most reliable option. Self contained seismic stations were constructed with Minimate Plus Seismographs placed in pole mounted electrical enclosures, with solar panels, marine batteries, and satellite phones.

 

The seismographs were programmed to automatically call home after each event trigger using Instantel's "Auto Call Home" feature. Data was automatically e-mailed to key personnel using Instantel's BWMail feature. On future work, the seismograph readings can be automatically sent to a pager or cell phone with text messaging through BW mail. For information or quotations on implementing this technology on your project, please call David Miller of Seismic Surveys, Inc. at (301) 663-6630.