"Earthquake Detection and Characterization Enhanced by Fiber Optic Cables"

Fiber optic cables in California, originally used for internet connectivity, have been repurposed to detect and measure earthquakes. In a recent study, scientists used a section of fiber optic cable to precisely understand the mechanics of a magnitude 6 earthquake, identifying four individual "stuck" areas of the fault that led to the rupture. This method, called distributed acoustic sensing, could revolutionize earthquake studies and improve early-warning systems by creating a dense network of makeshift seismometers. Access to more fiber optic cables would enable better understanding of earthquake physics and provide advanced warning.