In order to fully understand complex ocean systems, a wide variety of sensor arrays, capable of surviving for long periods of time in harsh conditions, are necessary.  A suite of sensors (over 100) were selected and strategically placed throughout RSN.  They are located at Axial Seamount, Hydrate Ridge, and also on the water-column moorings.
Instruments connected to the RSN include:  
*  Conductivity Temperature Depth (located on profilers)
*  Dissolved Oxygen, 
*  3-D Single Point Current Meter 
*  Temperature
*  Fluorometers 
*  CDOM, 
*  Chlorophyll-a, 
*  Optical Backscatter
The instruments are the final spot of each regional network branch.