Webinars - Detail

Fiber-optic Seismology in Theory and Practice
Nate Lindsey, Stanford University

ABSTRACT

Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) is an emerging fiber-optic sensing method that turns an optical fiber into a massive, meterscale, multi-kilometer seismic array. In this webinar, I will begin by providing an overview of the physics of fiber-optic sensing, and how we use optoelectronic instruments connected to optical fibers, often embedded in the telecommunications network, to make DAS measurements in the laboratory and field. Then, I will discuss an on-going community calibration effort to quantify DAS instrument response. Lastly, I will show results from recent earthquake and ambient noise studies on the seafloor, in the cryosphere, and beneath city streets -- with the aim to highlight how, why and where DAS can make a difference when solving a particular earth science question.

METADATA

Last updated Key Points
2020-01-29
  • Fiber-optic sensing, like Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), turns an optical fiber into a massive, meterscale, multi-kilometer seismic array
  • Describe the physics of fiber-optic sensing and how to make DAS measurements in the laboratory and field
  • Describe results from recent earthquake and ambient noise studies on the seafloor, in the cryosphere, and beneath city streets and how DAS can make a difference when solving a particular earth science question