Successful Development of Distributed Fiber Optic Seismic Sensing Equipment, Adding Sharp Tools to E

2024-01-24

According to the China Science Daily, recently, a team led by Chen Yang and Zhao Dongfeng from the Hefei National Research Center for Microscale Material Science at the University of Science and Technology of China, in collaboration with Wang Baoshan and Yao Huajian from the School of Earth and Space Sciences, has successfully developed a distributed fiber optic acoustic/vibration sensing (DAS) system with independent intellectual property rights. This equipment can use existing communication optical cables for earthquake monitoring, geological disaster prediction, underground structure imaging, urban underground space detection, and more. Since the deployment of DAS equipment in Zipeng Mountain, Hefei, Anhui in June 2021 for continuous observation, it has successfully monitored some regional and global earthquakes.

Earthquake monitoring refers to the use of specialized instruments to observe, record, and analyze seismic activity and micro precursors before and after an earthquake occurs. The observation network composed of various levels of seismic stations is called the seismic network. The China Earthquake Networks Center Center is responsible for national earthquake monitoring, short - and medium-term earthquake prediction and earthquake quick report. It is an important business hub, core technology platform and an important window for international exchange of basic information for earthquake prevention and disaster reduction in China. There are over 1200 seismic stations in China that continuously monitor earthquakes day and night, providing valuable information for earthquake prediction and research.

By the end of 2007, China had also completed the construction of a new generation of China's digital seismic observation system, consisting of the national digital seismic network, regional digital seismic network, volcanic digital seismic network, and mobile digital seismic network. It had initially formed the monitoring and detection capabilities for seismic activity images, geophysical basic fields, underground physical structures, and other seismic background fields covering the mainland and offshore waters of China, and formed the ability to process seismic background field data products, providing richer data services for earthquake prediction, earth science research, national economic construction, and the general public.

Earthquake is a natural phenomenon caused by the rapid release of energy in the Earth's crust, during which seismic waves are generated. Earthquakes often cause serious casualties, leading to fires, floods, toxic gas leaks, bacterial and radioactive material diffusion, and may also cause secondary disasters such as tsunamis, landslides, collapses, and ground fissures.

In China, there is a seismic intensive belt that runs through the Chinese Mainland and is roughly north-south. Strong earthquakes have occurred many times in history, and it is called the north-south seismic belt of China. Therefore, establishing a sound earthquake observation system, improving the sensitivity and accuracy of observation instruments, is of great significance for protecting people's personal and property safety, and reducing earthquake hazards. In addition, seismic science data is of great significance for national economic construction and decision-making of major engineering projects. For example, large-scale industrial and mining enterprises, nuclear power plants, reservoirs, railways, and highway construction should undergo seismic and geological hazard safety assessments and related research work to avoid serious damage to ground buildings and engineering caused by earthquakes or other geological movements.

After 40 years of innovative research and development, modern earthquake monitoring instruments in China have made a qualitative leap, achieving a leap from simulation to digitization and networking. The research and development of instruments such as earthquake intensity meters suitable for dense deployment, absolute gravity meters suitable for scientific observation, and ocean magnetometers suitable for expanded observation have made new contributions to the continuous improvement of China's earthquake monitoring system. On September 2, 2012, the earthquake early warning system independently developed by Chengdu High tech Disaster Reduction Research Institute was able to issue warnings and take measures before serious disasters occurred, winning valuable time for earthquake defense zones.

The successfully developed distributed fiber optic seismic sensing device can utilize existing communication optical cables for earthquake monitoring, geological disaster prediction, and urban underground space detection. It has advantages such as distributed, high integration, long-distance transmission, strong anti-interference, and resolution of up to meters, providing a new technological approach for earthquake monitoring and underground structure imaging.

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