Distributed acoustic sensing of microseismic sources and wave propagation in glaciated terrain

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15824-6
• Publication Date: 2020-05-15T10:05:00Z
• Authors: F. Walter; D. Gräff; F. Lindner; P. Paitz; M. Köpfli; M. Chmiel; A. Fichtner
• Keywords: Microseism; Passive seismic; Distributed Acoustic Sensing; Seismogram

Abstract Records of Alpine microseismicity are a powerful tool to study landscape-shaping processes and warn against hazardous mass movements. Unfortunately, seismic sensor coverage in regions is typically insufficient. Here we show that distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) bridges critical observational gaps seismogenic terrain. Dynamic strain measurements 1 km long fiber optic cable on glacier surface produce high-quality seismograms related flow nearby rock falls. The nearly 500 channels precisely locate series stick-slip events (within 20–40 m) reveal phases from which thickness material properties the its bed can be derived. As acquired with cables easy transport, install couple ground, our demonstrates potential DAS technology for monitoring dynamics natural hazards.