As fibre-optic cables are tapped into, scientists unlock a new era of seismic research, transforming our approach to natural hazard mitigation and revealing long-hidden secrets about the Earth’s dynamics.
Beneath the winding streets of Istanbul, Turkey, a fibre-optic cable pulses with laser light. Until recently, this stretch of the information superhighway has lain dormant and dark, but a group of researchers now huddles around to watch a computer screen fill with shimmering lines of data as the light flashes underground. The lines represent “subtle underground vibrations from an earthquake”, detected along the fibre in a way that has only recently become possible.
Fibre-optic cables are thin, flexible strands of glass or plastic that transmit data as light signals.
They offer faster and more reliable internet connectivity than traditional copper cables.
Fibre-optic cables use a process called total internal reflection to bounce 'light signals' down the cable, allowing for speeds of up to 10 Gbps.
This technology is crucial for supporting high-bandwidth applications like cloud computing, online gaming, and streaming services.
A World-Girdling Network Beneath Our Feet
Much of the internet, phone systems, television, and other high-speed communications relies on a world-girdling network of fibre-optic cables. By one estimate, more than 4 billion kilometres of such cables snake beneath and between cities; the longest ones span oceans. Normally, we don’t think much about this physical network, happy just to receive the calls, web pages, and cat videos it transmits. But more and more, the cables themselves are becoming a valuable source of information about the planet.
Unlocking the Earth’s Secrets
In Istanbul, these fibres have revealed potentially life-saving information about how to protect people and infrastructure against future earthquakes. Elsewhere, they are allowing researchers to measure the subsurface hum of London’s bustle, track the rumbling of Iceland’s volcanoes, and map the upper reaches of our planet’s mantle. This new view of the underground has the potential to transform our understanding of the Earth’s dynamics and uncover long-hidden secrets.
Earthquakes are a type of seismic activity that occurs when there is a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere.
This energy release creates seismic waves that can cause the ground to shake, sometimes violently.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), there are over 14,000 earthquakes per year worldwide, with most being minor.
However, some earthquakes can be devastating, causing widespread damage and loss of life.
A New Era of Seismic Monitoring
The use of fibre-optic cables for seismic monitoring is a relatively recent development. By detecting subtle vibrations in the cables, researchers can gain insights into the Earth’s internal structure and improve earthquake forecasting. The technology has far-reaching implications for disaster preparedness and could potentially revolutionize our approach to natural hazard mitigation.
Mapping the Mantle and Unlocking Geothermal Potential
In Iceland, scientists are planning to drill two boreholes to a reservoir of liquid rock. One will give us our first direct measurements of magma – the other could supercharge geothermal power. This ambitious project has the potential to unlock new sources of renewable energy and transform the global energy landscape.
Geothermal energy is a renewable and sustainable source of power that utilizes heat from the Earth's core.
This heat is harnessed through underground reservoirs, which can produce steam to drive turbines or provide direct heating for buildings.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), geothermal energy has the potential to generate 12% of global electricity by 2050.
The 'United States, Philippines, and Indonesia' are among the top producers of geothermal energy.
The Future of Seismic Research
As researchers continue to tap into the secrets of the underground, we can expect significant advances in our understanding of the Earth’s dynamics. From improved earthquake forecasting to the discovery of new geothermal resources, the possibilities are vast. By harnessing the power of fibre-optic cables, scientists can unlock a new era of seismic research and transform our approach to natural hazard mitigation.
- newscientist.com | How buried cables are revealing Earth’s interior in incredible detail
