Each DART system has successfully cycled through a pre-programmed test designed to verify system operation during a simulated trigger event. In addition, appropriately located DART systems have responded to recent earthquakes by triggering into real-time tsunami reporting mode. These test and observational results give us increasing confidence in the performance and siting of the DART Network, which continues to operate as planned. D-171 is the deepest site deployed to date with a depth of 5579m. Because of sustained great weather in the Gulf of Alaska, NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown was able to accomplish all cruise objectives and arrive in Dutch Harbor, Alaska earlier than scheduled.
Weather generally governs what can be safely accomplished in the North Pacific.
Scheduling of Tsunami DART mooring work in mid to late summer is crucial to the success of the Project and has the added benefit of reducing sea days for more efficient vessel use. Presently the PMEL Engineering Development Division is working on a new BPR printed circuit board design to replace electronic components that are no longer commercially available. A prototype is now being developed and will be ready for testing in Spring 2001.