Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 16, 2025
09:03
A Silicon-tipped Fiber-optic Sensing Platform with High Resolution and Fast Response
Published on: January 7, 2019
7.4K
Optical polarization-based seismic and water wave sensing on transoceanic cables.
Zhongwen Zhan1, Mattia Cantono2, Valey Kamalov2
1Seismological Laboratory, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA. zwzhan@caltech.edu.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|February 26, 2021
Summary
New fiber-optic sensing uses existing submarine cables to detect earthquakes and ocean waves. This scalable method transforms global telecommunication infrastructure into a real-time seismic and tsunami monitoring network.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics
- Seismology
- Oceanography
Background:
- Seafloor geophysical instrumentation is crucial but difficult to deploy and maintain.
- Existing submarine telecommunication cables offer a potential solution for seismic data collection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using existing submarine fiber-optic cables for geophysical sensing.
- To demonstrate real-time seismic and ocean wave detection using telecommunication channels.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring the polarization of optical signals in a 10,000 km submarine cable.
- Analyzing data for seismic wave signatures and ocean pressure variations.
Main Results:
- Successfully detected moderate-to-large earthquakes along the cable route.
- Recorded ocean swell pressure signals, indicating potential for tsunami detection.
- Demonstrated sensing capabilities in the 10 millihertz to 5 hertz frequency band.
Conclusions:
- Fiber-optic sensing via submarine cables is a scalable and cost-effective method for global seismic and tsunami monitoring.
- This technology can convert existing telecommunication infrastructure into continuous geophysical observatories without specialized equipment.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:31Energy Stored In A Coaxial Cable
1.8K
A coaxial cable consists of a central copper conductor used for transmitting signals, followed by an insulator shield, a metallic braided mesh that prevents signal interference, and a plastic layer that encases the entire assembly.
In the simplest form, a coaxial cable can be represented by two long hollow concentric cylinders in which the current flows in opposite directions. The magnetic field inside and outside the coaxial cable is determined by using Ampère's law. The magnetic field inside...
In the simplest form, a coaxial cable can be represented by two long hollow concentric cylinders in which the current flows in opposite directions. The magnetic field inside and outside the coaxial cable is determined by using Ampère's law. The magnetic field inside...
1.8K
01:31Dielectric Polarization in a Capacitor
5.5K
The presence of a dielectric medium in a capacitor not only changes the voltage and capacitance but also affects the electric field. In general, dielectrics can be of two types: polar and nonpolar. In a polar dielectric, the positive and negative charges in the molecules are separated by a distance and hence have a permanent dipole moment. In contrast, no such charge separation exists in a nonpolar dielectric, however the nonpolar molecules get polarized in the presence of an external electric...
5.5K
01:28Cable Subjected to Concentrated Loads
1.2K
Flexible cables are commonly used in various applications for support and load transmission. Consider a cable fixed at two points and subjected to multiple vertically concentrated loads. Determine the shape of the cable and the tension in each portion of the cable, given the horizontal distances between the loads and supports.
1.2K
01:24Cable Subjected to a Distributed Load
938
The analysis of suspension bridges is a complex and critical process that involves multiple factors, including the shape and tension of the main cables. The main cables of suspension bridges are subjected to distributed loads, which result in changes in tensile forces and deformation of the cable. These loads must be carefully considered to ensure that the bridge is safe and capable of supporting the weight of different loads.
938
01:07Propagation of Waves
2.6K
When a wave propagates from one medium to another, part of it may get reflected in the first medium, and part of it may get transmitted to the second medium. In such a case, the interface of the two mediums can be considered as a boundary that is neither fixed nor free.
Consider a scenario where a wave propagates from a string of low linear mass density to a string of high linear mass density. In such a case, the reflected wave is out of phase with respect to the incident wave, however the...
Consider a scenario where a wave propagates from a string of low linear mass density to a string of high linear mass density. In such a case, the reflected wave is out of phase with respect to the incident wave, however the...
2.6K