The WA Array project is one of the most unique projects that Helicopter Logistics has ever been involved with. The project involves the establishment of sensors across Western Australia to map seismic activity across the state.
The project involves establishing the sensors into an array across the state in a pattern approximately 40km apart. A sensor unit, together with a recording computer, batter, solar panel and gps antennae are installed. There are 160 sensor units in total.
A important part of installing the sensors is in ensuring that indigenous sites of significance are not disrupted, involving engagement from the local community.
The unit collects data for 6 months, at which point the researchers physically retrieve the data from the unit, service the unit and then run the data for another 6 months. The unit is then retrieved together with the data, then relocated to the next part of the array.
Many people are surprised to discover that WA is very seismically active.
Our role in the 10 year project to be able to get to locations that are impractical to access by road. There is 9 phases to the project that will cover the state.
A significant benefit to the project, aside from a greater understanding of seismic activity, is a better understanding of the nature of resources across the state which is expected to yield important information for the resources sector.
For information on the project please see the following sites:
WA Array
WA Array: listening to the Earth
WA Array phase 1 – southwest