Fiber-optic cables designed to carry telecommunications can also be used to map the Earth’s interior.
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Offline communication cables called “dark fibers” can be used to sense underground seismic waves. Geophysicists are increasingly using such signals to study aspects of the Earth’s subsurface, such as hidden sources of geothermal energy and earthquake risks.
“If there was a big earthquake on the fiber we’re talking on, the frequency of my voice would be slightly distorted.” andreas fichtner Speaking at ETH Zurich, Switzerland new scientist During a video call.
He’s referring to…
Source: www.newscientist.com
