Advanced seafloor cable-based sensing in the South Pacific: A pathway to real-time hazard monitoring

This project, begun in 2024, has successfully demonstrated subsea cables’ potential for earthquake detection in offshore areas not reached by the seismic network on land. However, additional steps are required to build on this proof-of-concept and fully demonstrate the potential of the technology for improving earthquake and tsunami detection capabilities in the Southwest Pacific.

In a continuation of the first deployment, researchers have two new objectives: to improve sensing capability (sensitivity and range of the measurement system); and to implement advanced signal monitoring software. The first will enable better assessment of tsunami risk to coastal populations; while the second will provide real time real-time signal quality monitoring. A subsequent step is to  develop a solution for the fast dissemination of processed data to research   partners. This is an essential prerequisite for evaluating future integration of cable-based detections into existing national and regional seismic networks.

This collaboration with UK researchers is being led by Te Whai Ao — Dodd-Walls Centre Associate Investigator Dr Johan Grand of the Measurement Standards Laboratory, together with Giuseppe Marra and Max Tamussino of the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL).