Episode 272: How Distributed Chemical Sensing Could Rewrite the Rules of Risk Management
Andrew
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"By mapping fiber optic cables accurately, we can transform them into dense seismic arrays. This opens the door to city-scale imaging and monitoring."
Haipeng Li explains how distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) can turn existing urban fiber optic cables into powerful seismic arrays for near-surface imaging and monitoring. By using everyday traffic and ambient noise, his team can track groundwater changes, detect geohazards, and study fault structures without costly field deployments. This approach offers a new way for geophysicists, engineers, and city planners to work together for safer, more resilient urban environments.