Stanford's internet cables double as earthquake sensors
- 6 years ago
SAN FRANCISCO — Researchers are using miles of optical cable beneath the Stanford university campus to observe earthquakes.
According to a news release from the university, scientists used laser interrogators from company Optasense to record seismic activity on the cables.
Stanford Geophysics professor Biondo Biondi says every meter of cable in the 3-mile long network acts as a sensor.
"We can continuously listen to — and hear well — the Earth using pre-existing optical fibers that have been deployed for telecom purposes," Biondi said.
The technology could one day be used by civil engineers to design buildings more capable of withstanding earthquakes.
According to a news release from the university, scientists used laser interrogators from company Optasense to record seismic activity on the cables.
Stanford Geophysics professor Biondo Biondi says every meter of cable in the 3-mile long network acts as a sensor.
"We can continuously listen to — and hear well — the Earth using pre-existing optical fibers that have been deployed for telecom purposes," Biondi said.
The technology could one day be used by civil engineers to design buildings more capable of withstanding earthquakes.