Portable Observatories for Lithospheric Analysis and Research Investigating (POLARIS)

北极星(调查地震活动的便携式岩石圈分析和研究观测站)是一个主要的国家研究基础设施，由与卫星相连的便携式地球物理观测站阵列组成。这些最先进的天文台使加拿大科学家能够以前所未有的分辨率探测地球内部，使对地球结构和动力学的创新研究成为可能，并提高我们对地震和地磁危害的知识。北极星的部署包括100个卫星连接的宽带地震仪系统，10个带有连续记录大地电磁(MT)设备的系统，以及70多个用于战役式调查的便携式MT和地震观测站的清单。这些系统记录地面运动和电磁信号，揭示地下的地球物理特征。来自北极星天文台的数据通过卫星传输到伦敦(加拿大)和渥太华的采集中心，在那里加拿大各地的研究人员可以近乎实时地获得这些数据。北极星改进的成像能力，结合创新的解释技术，为加拿大在几个地球科学学科方面的突破和重大经济利益奠定了基础。我国羽翼未丰的钻石业已经每年为国民经济增加数百万美元，它利用北极星领导的进展，因为钻石形成于大陆的深层；更清楚地了解钻石的表面之旅可能会产生数十亿美元的经济影响。如果加拿大一个主要城市中心附近发生大地震，可能造成的潜在损失可能会产生类似的经济影响，更不用说潜在的生命损失了。通过了解地震风险，大大减少了危险，这是减轻风险的先决条件。由于地面运动是近实时监测的，因此在地震发生后几分钟内就可以获得有关地震运动和潜在破坏的信息。

POLARIS (Portable Observatories for Lithospheric Analysis and Research Investigating Seismicity) is a major national research infrastructure that consists of satellite-linked arrays of portable geophysical observatories. These state-of-the-art observatories enable Canadian scientists to probe Earth's interior with unprecedented resolution, enabling innovative studies of Earth structure and dynamics, and improving our knowledge of earthquake and geomagnetic hazards. POLARIS deployments include 100 satellite-linked broadband seismograph systems, 10 with continuous-recording magnetotelluric (MT) devices, plus an inventory of more than 70 portable MT and seismic observatories for campaign-style investigations. These systems record ground motions and electromagnetic signals that reveal the geophysical characteristics of the subsurface. Data from POLARIS observatories are transmitted via satellite to acquisition centres in London (Canada) and Ottawa, where they are made available in near real-time to researchers across Canada. The improved imaging capability of POLARIS, combined with innovative interpretive techniques, lays the groundwork for breakthroughs and significant economic benefits for Canada in several geoscience disciplines. Our fledgling diamond industry, already adding millions of dollars to the national economy per year, exploits POLARIS-led advances, since diamonds are formed in the deep roots of continents; a clearer understanding of their journey to the surface could have economic implications in the multi-billion dollar range. Potential losses in the event of a large earthquake near a major urban centre in Canada could have a similar economic impact, not to mention the potential loss of life. Dangers are significantly reduced through knowledge of earthquake risk, a prerequisite for mitigation. Because ground motions are monitored in near-real time, information on earthquake motions and damage potential is available within minutes of an earthquake occurrence.