OFCnet: Telecom Fiber Networks as the Core of the Next Generation TerraScope

Tuesday, 26 March, 13:45 – 14:15

Theater III

Astronomers use telescopes to gather light and study celestial bodies. Similarly, geophysicists use seismometers to "see" inside the Earth by capturing seismic waves. We can now transform existing telecom fiber optic cables into seismic sensors with a density a thousand times greater than traditional seismic networks. In my presentation, I will cover recent pilot projects demonstrating the significant scientific potential of fiber seismic sensing and its scalability. Our results indicate that telecom fibers could form the core of a new-generation 'TerraScope,' enhancing our view into the Earth's interior. This advance not only promises to speed up scientific discovery but also offers new avenues to mitigate natural hazards, safeguard infrastructure, and respond to climate change.

Presenter