The Antarctic Seismographic Argentinean Italian Network (ASAIN): Recording Earthquakes in the Scotia Sea Region

Abstract

The Antarctic Seismographic Argentinean Italian Network (ASAIN) is a permanent broadband seismic network that has operated since 1995 in the Scotia Sea region, the Antarctic peninsula, and the polar area. It was deployed and is managed in the framework of cooperation between the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics and Dirección Nacional del Antártico–Instituto Antártico Argentino and is financially supported by the Programma Nazionale di Ricerca in Antartide. The network consists of seven seismological stations with broadband sensors. ASAIN provides data to Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology, Observatories and Research Facilities for European Seismology, and GEOFOrschungsNetz. It improves the worldwide seismic networks’ detection capabilities and contributes to refining regional earthquake locations released by the U.S. Geological Survey. The proximity of the seismic stations to the Antarctic continent and their continuous operation in the long term also allows for having a privileged observatory on the ice-related seismicity along the Antarctica peninsula. In this article, we discuss the historical development of ASAIN, its current configuration, and the main characteristics of the seismic stations. Finally, we also provide information on the ASAIN data exchange and the contribution to the scientific research in Antarctica.