Earthquake waves move slowly through the ground, and being able to detect quakes as they start and communicate that information digitally at the speed of light is a goal. Now, Chinese researchers have found a way to actually use light to measure earthquakes.

In new research from the University of Science and Technology of China, researchers looked at how communications signals in fiber optics cables are affected by the stress and stretching of earthquakes. They were able to successfully detect earthquakes ranging from 2.3 to 6.6 magnitude. Since they were using everyday communications fiber optics, this technique should be deployable around the world. Potentially, this kind of setup will make earthquake detection a side effect of everyday communications.

More Information

USTC press release