Suzanne Carbotte, Author at State of the Planet

scientists in hardhats prepare large sensor

Searching for Faults From Afar

Researchers are using ocean-bottom and land-based seismometers to record the R/V Marcus Langseth’s soundings from afar, to better understand the potential impacts of large earthquakes in the Cascadia region.

by Nathan Miller, Pablo Canales, Anne Tréhu |July 12, 2021
scan of seafloor

Collecting More Than Just Seismic Data Along the Cascadia Fault

While researchers search for a megathrust fault off the Pacific Northwest coast, they are also helping to map the seafloor in high resolution and detect underwater methane seeps.

by Jeff Beeson and Michelle Lee |July 8, 2021

Looking Out for Marine Mammals

When using sound to search for an undersea fault, researchers must take special precautions to protect dolphins, whales and other vulnerable species.

by Suzanne Carbotte, Amanda Dubuque and the PSO team |July 6, 2021
chart of sound wave reflections

Seismic Data on Deck: Sounding for the Cascadia Megathrust Fault

Using sound and a 7.5-mile-long streamer towed behind the boat, scientists can collect a tremendous amount of data from under the seafloor.

by Brian Boston |July 1, 2021
researchers sitting on toadstools on the beach

Observations While on Quarantine in Newport, Oregon

Before embarking on a 6-week voyage to scan for Cascadia’s megathrust fault, the research team had to quarantine for two weeks in a hotel.

by Madeleine Lucas |June 30, 2021

Searching for the Megathrust Fault at Cascadia

Researchers have set sail to find and map a fault that causes giant earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest.

by |June 29, 2021

Mapping Water Circulation Within Cascadia Basin

Heading west from coastal Oregon we are able to make our initial seismic images beneath the seafloor continuously as we go. Where once our data would have been recorded on magnetic tapes only to be analyzed long after the expedition was over, thanks to the wonders of modern signal processing, we can now make images… read more

by |June 28, 2012

X-Ray Vision Beneath the Seafloor

Yesterday we deployed one of the Langseth’s long cables equipped with listening devices and began the second phase of our survey which we have been awaiting with much anticipation.

by |June 23, 2012

Imaging the Cascadia Subduction Zone

In the research expedition now underway, we will investigate the Juan de Fuca plate before it disappears under North America to understand why earthquakes happen where and when they do within the Cascadia subduction zone off the Pacific Northwest. Our ship, the R/V Marcus G. Langseth, is one of 25 research vessels available to U.S. scientists for oceanographic research.

by |June 19, 2012