The group Nature, known for its prestigious scientific journals, has published the results of the study on its websites and in “Communications Earth & Environment”. BETTER project (Measuring Earthquakes signals Gathered with Laser Interferometry on Optic Fibers). This project, conducted in collaboration with Open Fiber, the National Institute of Metrological Research (INRiM) and the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (Engv), used the optical fiber including sensor to detect seismic waves.
A recognition of value to the Meglio Project
The publication of the results of the Meglio project in Nature represents a recognition of its scientific value. The results were, in fact, subjected to peer-review, a standard process in the scientific community to evaluate the solidity of the analysis method, the quality of the research and innovation. The fact that Nature approved the publication confirms interest interdisciplinary in the project.
In Italy, the seismicity is monitored through a vast network of sensors managed by Ingv. The use of optical fiber, a modern communication tool, offers a quicker and more precise way to collect seismic data. Fiber networks, like Open Fiber's FTTH network, can extend from cities to the ocean floor, providing valuable support to conventional sensors.
The results of the Meglio project, started in 2020, were confirmed by the creation of a seismic observatory that uses a pair of Open Fiber optical fibers as sensors distributed between Ascoli Piceno and Teramo.
How the Better Project works
The project used a laser signal sent through optical fibers without interfering with normal data traffic, allowing for detect small variations in length of fibers caused by seismic vibrations. This was possible thanks to a technique interferometric developed by INRiM.
During two years of experimentation, several dozen seismic events were recorded, from the scale of disastrous earthquakes such as the one that occurred in Turkey in February 2023, up to almost imperceptible events with a magnitude less than 2. An analysis conducted by the INGV confirmed the reliability of the recorded data and the effectiveness of this technique as a permanent and widespread monitoring tool.
“The publication in Nature confirms theinterest and appreciation of the scientific community for Meglio, which is the first of a series of network sensing projects that we are working on and pioneering. Optical fiber is the enabling element of the digital evolution of our society, and Open Fiber, as a wholesale only operator, makes its network available to contribute to the development of an important area for our security such as seismic monitoring" commented Francis Carpenters, Head of Transport Engineering Open Fiber.
“The laser sensor and the interferometric measurement technique, developed by INRiM, are based on technologies initially developed in the metrological field, for fundamental research, and here applied to a very different context. The results of this study and their publication in a prestigious journal demonstrate how it is possible, also thanks to synergies between different communities, to achieve impact objectives not only for science but also for society, a mission that we consider fundamental” he declared David Calonicus, Head of Quantum Metrology Division atINRiM. “This publication also strengthens the Italian presence in a line of research that is attracting increasing interest at a global level, and represents an important basis on which to build further innovation”.
