SD Scientific Drilling SD Sci. Dril. 1816-3459 ICDP-IODP Göttingen, Germany 10.5194/sd-16-57-2013 SCIMPI: a new borehole observatory Lado-Insua T. 1 6 Moran K. 1 2 3 Kulin I. 2 3 Farrington S. 4 Newman J. B. 1 5 Department of Ocean Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Bay Campus, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Bay Campus, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA Ocean Networks Canada, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada Transcend Engineering and Technology, LLC, P.O. Box 222, Gaysville, VT 05746, USA Woods Hole Marine Systems Inc., P.O. Box 164, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA currently at: Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Bay Campus, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA 05 11 2013 16 57 61 Copyright: © 2013 T. Lado-Insua et al. 2013 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ This article is available from https://sd.copernicus.org/articles/16/57/2013/sd-16-57-2013.html The full text article is available as a PDF file from https://sd.copernicus.org/articles/16/57/2013/sd-16-57-2013.pdf

The Simple Cabled Instrument for Measuring Parameters in-situ (SCIMPI) is a new borehole observatory instrument designed to study dynamic processes below the seafloor. SCIMPI performs time series measurements of temperature, pressure and electrical resistivity at a series of depths, tailored for site-specific scientific objectives. SCIMPI's modular design enables tailoring of the type, depth distribution, and frequency of measurements based on the study goals and sediment characteristics. The first prototype is designed for 300 m below the seafloor in soft sediment and 1500 m b.s.l. However, SCIMPI could be tailored for deeper goals. The instrument can be configured for autonomous or cabled observatory deployments and has successfully undergone a number of tests, including pressure, communications, battery life, and interfacing with other drill-ship equipment. Here we discuss the design of the instrument, its capabilities, and the testing process it has passed through during four years of development. SCIMPI was successfully deployed on the Cascadia margin within the NEPTUNE Canada observatory network during IODP Expedition 341S in May 2013.

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