Caltech seismologists use underwater cables to detect earthquakes
Shane McGlaun - Feb 26, 2021, 8:09am CST
Seismologists at Caltech have worked with optics experts from Google to develop a new method to detect earthquakes in the ocean. Together, the team developed a method that allows the use of existing underwater telecommunications cables to detect earthquakes. They believe the new technique could lead to improved earthquake and tsunami warnings around the world.
Currently, there is a vast network of fiber-optic cables lying on the bottom of the oceans around the earth. In all, the network of fiber-optic cable spans more than a million kilometers. These cables are the backbone of international telecommunications and Internet services. Researchers have been looking for a way to use submerged cables to monitor seismic activity.