These Internet  cable sensors can easily identify the epicenter of the earthquake much more correctly due to being closer to the sea floor.

New Research: Underwater Internet Cables Can Detect Earthquakes. Science Magazine has recently published that the internet cables under the sea bed can detect earthquakes and other water calamities such as Tsunamis. These fiber optic cables can be effectively used to monitor the changes in the climate. The entire research is based on the fact that the changes in the ocean currents can make these detections.

These cables, laid by the telecom companies can be used as a giant network of deep-sea sensors. This research was carried out by the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and its related associations. During the research, the scientists tested an optic fiber laid from the UK to Canada.

Earthquake detection Sensors

Installing additional sensors to monitor climate change is not only a lengthy process and not to mention the cost involved, why not use these optical fiber links for this purpose? Such dedicated sensors are being used in some parts of the world but only a few exist to date. The research also concluded that 70% of Earth’s surface is water but to monitor its activities all the seismic stations are on land since it is an expensive installation when done under the water level, according to Dr. Marra of the NPL institute.

It is estimated that more than 430 sensors are there worldwide covering a distance of 1.3 million km. Dr. Marra further explained that the pressure, temperature, and vibrations affect by a very minimal amount. The amazing speed with which it travels from the cable can be measured by extremely sensitive monitors.

The researchers stated that they used the ocean signals (in the forms of currents and waves) to detect earthquakes by using a 5850km of EXE infrastructure of the optic fibers link between Halifax, Canada, and Southport, Lancashire. The scientists used individual links of cables on devices that assisted in boosting the signals using it as a separate sensor.

He further added that if this process is applied to a large number of cables simultaneously, then this massive structure of the underwater network will transform into a large array of earthquake detectors. If this seismic network is further extended from land to the seabed, it will add up to what we know about the Earth’s internal structure and how it works. These cable sensors can easily identify the epicenter of the earthquake much more correctly due to being closer to the sea floor.

Untested Theory of Using Cables

This new development has opened many new possibilities including monitoring the changes contributing to global warming. There is also a possibility of an untested theory of using the cables for investigating how sea-floor temperature is affected by climate changes.

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Google was also a part of this research and so was the British Geological Survey along with the University of Edinburgh. The Italian Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica was also a party of this dynamic research.

The research has opened new doors for predicting the climatic changes along with preventing natural calamities. Using this research, the scientists could begin to monitor remote areas where it was difficult to use the traditional methods. Lets hope the humanity has a safer future with this New Research: Underwater Internet Cables Can Detect Earthquakes.