The Italian wholesaler joins the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) to monitor earthquakes and tidal waves
TIM’s Sparkle has signed an MoU with the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) to use the telco’s submarine cables to monitor earthquakes and tidal waves in the Mediterranean and enhance civil protection capabilities such as tsunami warnings. Using fibre sensing techniques, it is possible to detect the mechanical vibrations induced on the optical fibres of submarine cables by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and anomalous waves in real time and in a difficult-to-access environment such as the seabed.
This is usually done using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), which is a technology that enables continuous, real-time measurements along the entire length of a fibre optic cable. In effect the cable itself is the sensor. While the tech isn’t new and several fibre players like OFS offer it, its adoption among operators is reasonably low.
Some of this has to do with the fact that the technology is littoral by nature. However, given the geopolitical world we find ourselves in, there is increasing attention for the technology. For example, in the Pacific, South Cross Cables (SX) has deployed Australian company Fibersense’s DigitalMarine subsea cable monitoring capability across SX’s New Zealand shore-end infrastructure from the cable station to the first repeater. Sensing occurs outside the frequencies used for data traffic wavelengths meaning cable operators no longer need to reserve an unused or dark fibre core exclusively for monitoring.
Sparkle’s MoU seals a collaboration that has already been underway for over two years between the TIM Group, Sparkle and INGV. Preliminary results of the conducted experiments were presented at the international conference ‘Fibre Optic Sensing in Geosciences’ held on 16-20 June in Catania. With the latest agreement, Sparkle and INGV undertake to continue exploring, experimenting and subsequently developing the accessory use of submarine fibre optic cables as sensors for scientific and civil protection purposes – in particular for the identification and warning of tsunamis and earthquakes – and geophysical monitoring of the seabed.
Mednautilus in use
Activities to date have employed Sparkle’s ‘Mednautilus’ cable system, which stretches from Sicily along the eastern Mediterranean for a total length of 11,000 km over a seabed depth of up to 4,000 m. Thanks to its ring-shaped configuration, Mednautilus will in future also offer the possibility of mapping submarine movements in several points of the basin and locate the epicentre of marine earthquakes more precisely.
The first tests measured changes in the state of polarisation (SOP) of coherent optical signals travelling on the optical fibres of the cable and carrying digital traffic. The new experiments will use signal phase and SOP data specific to the cable sections between the repeaters of a submarine cable; this will make it possible to identify the parts of the cable affected by the mechanical disturbance and investigate its propagation.
“As a research organisation in charge of real-time seismic and volcanic surveillance of the national territory, INGV has always paid special attention to technological innovation for the advancement of scientific research,” said INGV chairman Carlo Doglioni. “For this reason, today we welcome the agreement with Sparkle that, with its technologies, will be able to contribute to implement our tools for the observation and ever better understanding of natural phenomena.”
“We are proud to collaborate with such a prestigious institution as INGV and put our submarine cables at the service of research in such a valuable area of investigation for people and environment protection,” said Sparkle CEO Enrico Bagnasco.
“More than a hundred years ago as Italcable we laid the first transoceanic cable between Anzio and Buenos Aires to allow Italians to communicate with their compatriots who had emigrated to Argentina. Today we are renewing this legacy by bringing the Internet and digital services worldwide and pushing the frontiers of global telecommunications beyond pure connectivity to improve people’s quality of life,” he said.
The agreement also includes collaboration with other entities that share a focus on underwater technological innovation, including the National Underwater Dimension Pole (PNS), which is based in La Spezia, Liguria, and brings together national public and private excellence operating in the sector.
Pictured: the agreement was signed by Carlo Doglioni, Chairman of INGV (right), and Enrico Bagnasco, CEO of Sparkle (left).