Scientists from the IRIS Polar program recently installed two Trillium 240 seismometers in the Antarctic. IRIS tested the two standard production units in the ice core storage facilities in Albuquerque at -40C prior to shipping  to the Antarctic. The sensors are installed in vaults in the snow using Nanometrics' new sensor covers.

At the time of writing the two seismometers were operating perfectly at an ambient temperature of -70C. Both units were reported to be very stable requiring only one mass centering command since installation. Over the coming months scientists will analyse the data to assess unit performance as well as testing the mass centering mechanism for repeated operation.