Fiber Optic Communication Cables Could Provide Earlier Critical Earthquake Warnings, According to Hebrew U. Researchers

Optical communication fibers could provide an earlier warning of devastating earthquakes of up to 30 seconds, according to a new study by an international team of researchers led by Dr. Itzhak Lior from the Institute of Earth Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

According to the study, published in Nature’s Scientific Reports journal, earthquake early warning (EEW) systems provide seconds to tens of seconds of warning time before potentially damaging ground motions are felt. Seismic sensors should be installed as close as possible to expected earthquake sources for optimal warning times. However, most seismological stations are located on-land, while the most hazardous earthquakes occur underwater.

“Earthquakes that occur under the seabed or in areas without sensors can result in delayed detection by existing technologies, which hinders preparation,” says Dr. Lior. “Recently, an innovative method for monitoring earthquakes using optical fibers, including those deployed worldwide for Internet communication, has been gaining momentum. In this study, we showed that optical fibers can be used instead of the traditional sensors to provide early warning, especially for earthquakes that occur at sea.”

The researchers analyzed earthquakes recorded by several optical fibers deployed on the seabed off the coasts of Greece, France, and Chile. Dr. Lior’s research team was able to determine the intensity of the earthquakes and their damage potential before they were felt on land. Using this technology, earthquakes on the seabed could be detected up to 30 seconds earlier than standard methods, which could save countless lives. These findings demonstrate that using existing fiber infrastructure can simplify and speed up the establishment and operation of earthquake warning systems, as well as improve warning times.

Dr. Lior continues, “Optic fibers, including fibers from commercial telecommunications companies, can quickly determine the intensity of earthquakes and the damage potential, adding critical seconds of warning for destructive earthquakes. Using communication fibers from commercial companies is a very significant advantage for areas that are at risk of earthquakes such as Chile, Japan, the west coast of North America, and also Israel.”

About the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s leading academic and research institution. Serving some 24,000 students from 80 countries, it produces a third of Israel’s civilian research and is ranked 12th worldwide in biotechnology patent filings and commercial development. Faculty and alumni of the Hebrew University have won eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal. For more information about the Hebrew University, please visit http://new.huji.ac.il/en.

About American Friends of the Hebrew University

American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) is a national, not-for-profit organization based in the United States. AFHU is headquartered in New York and has seven regional offices working in close partnership with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. AFHU provides supporters, Hebrew University alumni, and the public with stimulating programs and events, and organizes missions to Israel. The organization’s activities support scholarly and scientific achievement at HU, create scholarships, fund new facilities, and assist the university’s efforts to recruit outstanding new faculty.