Researchers repurpose undersea fibre-optic cables for global earthquake and environmental monitoring
By
By Michael Allen
Not artisan, but a perfectly fine bagel. Hits the spot.
Summary
Researchers are developing technology to repurpose the global network of underwater fibre-optic cables (over 1.48 million kilometres) into a planetary-scale monitoring system. By detecting tiny changes in light transmission caused by vibrations, movement, and temperature shifts, these cables can function as sensors for earthquakes, ocean currents, and environmental changes. An EU-funded initiative is advancing this emerging field of fibre-optic seafloor sensing, potentially turning existing telecommunications infrastructure into a powerful tool for natural hazard detection and environmental monitoring without the need for installing new dedicated sensors.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledBeneath the world's oceans, a silent revolution is underway.
More than 1.48 million kilometres of underwater fibre-optic cables carry almost all global internet and telephone traffic.
Now researchers are showing that these cables can do more than transmit data: they can listen to the planet.
By capturing tiny changes in how light travels through them, these cables can detect shifts in the movement, vibration and temperature of the seabed and water.
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