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The opportunities for research using seafloor seismic data have never been richer than they are today. Major advances in data storage and microprocessor technology have allowed the development of a new generation of ocean bottom seismometers and hydrophones. These advances make it possible to carry out a whole new class of seismic research in the oceans, from studies of continental margin structure, mid-ocean ridge volcanism, and melt production at hotspots, to the physics of faulting along subduction zone megathrusts and oceanic transform faults.

In order to support the broadest possible application of marine seismic research using this new technology, a US National Ocean Bottom Seismography Instrument Pool (OBSIP) has been established by the National Science Foundation. Three facilities, located at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, maintain and operate the instruments, and provide complete engineering and technical support for their operation at sea.

Principal investigators at research universities can request the use of instruments as part of the NSF standard proposal process. Instructions for this process can be found at this website (PI Information/Proposal Prep. Guidelines). Other private and public organizations and industry also have access to use of the instruments upon request and depending upon availability.