Artius: A revolutionary broadband node to enable passive seismology

The Artius broadband node represents a transformative innovation in seismic instrumentation, designed to bridge the gap between traditional broadband seismometers and popular nodal systems. While broadband seismometers offer unparalleled sensitivity and frequency range, their cost and complexity often limit large-scale and dense deployments. Conversely, geophones provide cost-effective solutions for high-frequency applications but lack sensitivity to low-frequency seismic signals, which are critical for many research and monitoring purposes. Artius provides a cost-effective compromise, delivering the increased sensitivity and a true broadband frequency range at an economic price point.

Designed by Güralp Systems, Artius integrates a compact, highly sensitive broadband seismometer with an environmentally sealed anodised aluminium enclosure, ensuring optimal performance and robustness across diverse geophysical applications. Boasting a response of 30 seconds to 200 Hz, Artius greatly outperforms geophone-based systems while still being perfectly suited to rapid temporary deployments where it can be either pushed or staked into the ground and connected to an external power supply. Artius pushes the limits of versatility, facilitating real-time data monitoring, as well as passive data collection. Artius has an onboard SEEDlink server, compatible with all standard seismological monitoring techniques, truly setting it apart from anything on the current market.

Artius is designed to be docked into an eight-node capacity docking station for data validation and mass data download. The docking station also serves as a ‘huddle’ system for configuration and testing prior to deployment, ensuring each node is performing optimally. The Artius nodes are intended to be deployed in large arrays, perfect for passive seismology, ambient noise studies, and earthquake investigations.