9301875 Zumberge The Scripps Institution of Oceanography will undertake an ocean sciences instrumentation development project to design and construct an instrument for measuring strain accumulation at seafloor spreading centers. The instrument will use fiber optic technology to provide long-term measurements of horizontal seafloor strain with accuracies of 1-2 millimeters. The measurements will provide information on the nature and speed of seafloor spreading associated with plate tectonics. Seafloor strain is one of several measurements selected for inclusion in a long-term seafloor observatory planned for the RIDGE initiative. The instrument will use an optical fiber over a path-length of up to 1 kilometer and a commercially available electronic distance meter that has been adapted for use at sea. The instrument will provide very precise measurements over periods of up to one year. Millimeter precision of seafloor movement will provide new scientific insights for geophysical research. ***
