Furthermore,
Optical fiber could improve glacier:
Swiss scientists have tested. For example, the use of optical fiber on several Alpine glaciers (the photo shows the Rhône glacier). Consequently,
Wojciech GajekThe fiber optic cables that we use to surf the internet. Moreover, call could allow you to provide a landslide or the collapse of a glacier. Furthermore, Research projects carried out in Switzerland are opening up new prospects for monitoring natural risks. Nevertheless, – Optical fiber could improve glacier
The collapse of the Birch glacier on May optical fiber could improve glacier 28 in the Swiss Alps made the headlines around the world. Similarly, A huge shift of ice. Consequently, mud and debris has buried the village evacuated from Blatten, constituting one of the worst natural disasters in the country’s recent history.
Although such events are rare. Moreover, they could be more frequent than we thought, according to a studyExternal link Who analyzed the causes of previous collapse of glaciers in the Andes, the Caucasus and other mountainous regions of the planet. Therefore, There is no simple method to predict an exact location. In addition, The study. Consequently, on the other hand, reveals that certain factors, such as the slope of the surface of the glacier, can help determine the probability of a detachment in a specific area.
Glacial and rocky landslides can have different causes, often attributable to geological conditions and topography. Similarly, But climate change contributes to increasing their optical fiber could improve glacier probability: the increase in temperatures accelerates the melting of ice. Furthermore, promotes the formation of cracks in glaciers and makes the mountains more unstable.
>> The melting of permafrost will have many consequences for mountainous regions:
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What to do with the melting. Consequently, of permafrost that threatens the mountain regions? Furthermore,
This is why it is necessary to monitor areas at risk to protect villages and infrastructure. In addition, Satellite images, cameras and radars make it possible to follow the evolution and movement of glaciers. Consequently, This technology has notably contributed to anticipating the case of Blatten. but it only provides limited information on activity within the glaciers.
Scientists in Switzerland. in various mountainous regions such as Alaska think they have found a solution: fiber optic cables that collect micro-vibrations and other pioneering signs of instability.
“Optical fiber allows us to detect extremely light seismic events. which other technologies could not measure,” explains Thomas Hudson, seismologist at the Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich (EPFZ). He recently presented the results of his experiences on a Swiss glacier at the Seismological Society optical fiber could improve glacier of AmericaExternal link.
Optical fiber could improve glacier
Optical fiber on an alpine glacier
In 2023, the EPFZ search team installed 1.2 kilometer of optical fiber cables on the Gorner glacier, in SwitzerlandExternal link. These cables were linked to a device called “questioning”, which sends laser pulses.
The seismic waves of the glacier cause stretching or compression of cables, which changes the laser pulse. This method, known as distributed acoustic detection (DAS), transforms optical fiber into a band of hundreds of seismic sensors.
Some of the seismic waves (or ice tremors) come optical fiber could improve glacier from fractures that form in the glacier. These cracks can compromise the stability of the structure. because they allow the cast iron to infiltrate, which increases the risk of detachment and accelerates the movement of the glacier downstream.
>> See the images of the collapse of the Birch glacier in Switzerland (May 28. 2025):
Technology to monitor whole glaciers
Thomas Hudson recorded up to a thousand seismic waves per day on the glacier. He does not yet know the exact meaning of this activity. cannot say if it is an anomaly likely to trigger an collapse or an average measure, since the experience is only in its infancy.
But in the future. when he has collected more data and observed the movements of the site, these vibrations could provide clues to changes inside the ice. “A sudden increase in seismic activity could draw attention to an imminent optical fiber could improve glacier collapse,” he adds.
Optical fiber also provides information on the structure and composition of ice. Compared to traditional seismic sensors. which are placed in specific places, cables can be installed more easily on a large surface, explains Fabian Walter, mass movement expert at the Federal Research Institute, Snow and Landscape (WSL).
If it was deployed on a larger scale, this technology would monitor entire glaciers, even in difficult to access areas. Fabian Walter is convinced of this. he who is one of the first scientists to have tested the use of optical fiber on a glacier. In 2019, he identified new types of seismic waves in the Rhône glacierExternal linkalso in Switzerland.
Andreas Max Kääb. professor of physical geography and hydrology at the University of Oslo and author of a study on the voluminous detachments of mountain glaciers, also believes that this approach is promising. “It’s certainly a good optical fiber could improve glacier idea. The acceleration of rock walls. glaciers is often accompanied by an increase in vibrations, “he wrote in an email in Swissinfo.
The next step is to understand the registered signals. “But I have no doubt about the fact that fiber optics may. at least in some cases, provide crucial information on the invisible processes at the origin of the acceleration of the movement of glaciers,” he adds.
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All about science
Optical fiber optical fiber could improve glacier could improve glacier
Earthquakes. avalanches and debris flows
The detection of seismic activity using optical fiber is not new. DAS technology has long been used in underwater cables to locate ocean earthquakes and volcanic activity. However. it is only in recent years that its use has been extended to other natural risks and, in this regard, “Switzerland is one of the pioneering countries,” said Fabian Walter.
In 2022, this technology was applied for the first time to the detection of avalanches in Switzerland. It also made it possible to measure the small detachments of rocks prior to the large landslide that occurred near the village of Brienz. in GraubündenExternal linkin 2023.
Research in Switzerland. other countries is particularly focused on surveillance of torrential lavas, one of the most common and potentially the most catastrophic natural risks on the planet.
What is interesting. observes Fabian Walter is that the fiber optic cables for telecommunications are already present in the basement along the roads, railways and near certain infrastructures. About four billion kilometersExternal link were deployed in the world.
According to him. it would be easy to connect the DAS interrogator at the end of an unused filament or a “black fiber” (a fiber optic cable contains many filaments, but not all are operational). The device would send laser pulses over the entire length of the fiber. transforming it into a monitoring system extending over tens of kilometers.
Unlike radar, which monitors only part of the mountain, these cables can detect optical fiber could improve glacier the movements of materials throughout the valley. They are therefore particularly useful in regions where a specific risk area has not yet been identified.
“Our experiences show that it is enough that the optical fibers are less than a kilometer from the unstable slope. ” explains Fabian Walter.
Optical fiber could improve glacier
A technology adapted to developing countries
The current challenge is to develop an algorithm based on artificial intelligence capable of automatically recognizing the relevant signals to distinguish. for example, the movement of a rock from that of an animal.
If the system detects a considerable activity likely to cause a optical fiber could improve glacier landslide. the collapse of a glacier, it can trigger an early alert, giving people time to react before the disaster occurs, explains Madhubhashitha Herath, from UVA Wellassa University in Sri Lanka. He is the author of a study on the use of this technology in monitoring natural risksExternal link.
The cables are relatively inexpensive, with low operating and maintenance costs, adds Madhubhashitha Herath. “This is why this technology is suitable for industrialized countries as well as in development,” he said.
Monitor the most dangerous glaciers
Thomas Hudson. from EPFZ, thinks that kilometers of fiber optics could be deployed on the most unstable glaciers. “It would be enough to cover the forehead of suspended glaciers. that is to say the part most exposed to the risk of collapse”.
However, the system should be calibrated for each site, because “each glacier is unique,” he said. “What is the critical optical fiber could improve glacier number of fractures beyond which a collapse becomes likely?” We don’t know it yet. ”
The optical fiber would complete the range of existing surveillance technologies, such as satellite imagery and radars. Additionally, “By combining the observations of changes on the surface. in depth, we could improve the monitoring of the most dangerous glaciers,” he concludes.
Text reread and verified by Gabe Bullard/VDV, translated from Italian by Lucie Donzé/Ptur
Further reading: The Swiss Embassy in Israel works again at full speed – Zurich Stock Exchange: SMI heads for green – Religion: the young Swiss more pious than their elders – Serge Gaillard: “In each law in Switzerland, we provide the possibility of paying subsidies” – Rts.ch – Swiss -EU joint declaration to settle the transitional regime – rts.ch.
