| Kit Valley |  |
Helping the KMA better understand how seismic activity can lead to tsunamis, and how tsunamis work. |
|
| Principal Sponsor: - Korean Meteorological Association (KMA) Our Customer: Korean Information Technology (KIT) Valley, providers of seismic monitoring, and Space Tech, project managers for space and terrestrial systems Completion Date: 2006 The Project: The KMA commissioned KIT Valley to put an Ocean Bottom Unit (OBU) in place, 20km off the coast of Ullenungdo (an island 135km east of the Korean peninsula). The OBU acts as a ‘listening device’ to detect and monitor high levels of seismic activity. KIT Valley chose Global Marine Systems to install the OBU 2,000m below sea level, along with the essential seismic cable connecting the OBU to the island. The fibre optic cable not only provides power to the OBU, but also transfers the crucial activity measurements back to the island. Why Global Marine Systems? “Global Marine Systems has a proven track record in working on underwater infrastructure projects. We knew the installation would be completed to the highest standards in our short timeframe, and the project would be operational as quickly as possible. This test project could play a significant part in developing the long term safety of South Korea’s coastal areas.” - KIT Valley Director Han SehSub The Challenge: Global Marine Systems faced various challenges during the installation. The coast off of Ullengundo is rocky, so there was no sandy shore providing a soft ‘bed’ on which to lay the cable. The project also had to run on a tight time table: Global Marine Systems had two weeks to complete the cable installation. Global Marine Systems Delivered: To tackle the rocky seabed, Global Marine Systems installed the cable through steel tubes which were laid on the rocks and used from 500 meters away from the coastline. Owing to its expertise and experience in the industry, Global Marine Systems was able to complete this project within the stringent timeframe. Within two weeks of the cable’s installation, an earthquake in Taiwan caused the rupture of two undersea data transmission cables in the area. The OBU withstood this earthquake, sustaining no damage. Resources Deployed: ROV ST 200 - cable intervention and burial capability, with a range down to 2000m water depth. CS Wave Mercury - a vessel concerted to install and maintain telecommunications cables worldwide.  |
  |
|
Facts & Features
|
|
| What's being connected | Ocean Bottom Unit, connected to Ullenungdo Island |
| Kilometres installed | 20 km |
| Repeaters | N/A |
| Cable manufacturer | NSW |
