SEASMO: SEismo-Acoustic Submarine Mediterranean Observatory

A new high-performance submarine seismic and acoustic station, named SEASMO, was successfully installed in the Mediterranean Sea in October 2024. Positioned at a depth of 3443 meters, it is located 90 km offshore from Portopalo di Capo Passero in southeastern Sicily, establishing it as the deepest such station in the Mediterranean. This pioneering platform is the successful result of the 'Marine Hazard' project, a collaborative effort between the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) and the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV). The primary objective of the SEASMO station is to provide real-time monitoring and characterization of acoustic noise originating from both natural and humanmade sources within the coastal and abyssal marine environments. This is achieved through a broadband hydrophone, which allows for the analysis of the impact of human activities on the marine ecosystem. In addition to its acoustic capabilities, the station is equipped with a Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) sensor, to monitor the physical properties of the surrounding seawater, and an Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS). This instrument is best suited to detect geological events, such as underwater landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. The integration of these advanced sensors allows the SEASMO station to function as a comprehensive deep-sea observatory for both environmental and geophysical research by correlating acoustic data with pure seismic signals.