Researchers at Penn State have developed an innovative technology to detect sinkholes before they form on the surface, using underground fiber optic cables to transmit high-speed internet.
The technology relies on a tool known as a distributed acoustic sensor, which records sound waves reflected from cables and then analyzes them to detect any changes in soil density and movement that could indicate an imminent danger.
"We often think of everyday noise, like traffic, as just a nuisance in the data, but our research shows that this noise carries valuable information about Earth's motion and density," explained Taiwan Zou, associate professor of geophysics at Pennsylvania State University.
He added that this new technology is more effective and less expensive than traditional seismometers, although the cost of the system has not yet been revealed.
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The tool successfully identified potential hazardous locations on the Pennsylvania State University campus, with researchers confirming there was no imminent threat to residents there.
Studies indicate that approximately 20% of the United States' land area is at risk of sinkholes, and that this phenomenon is increasing due to climate change, which causes extreme weather events ranging from drought to heavy rains, making soil behavior unpredictable.
Pennsylvania has a high incidence of these phenomena, with more than 3,600 landslides recorded in just one year. These phenomena are most common in areas containing limestone layers that are soluble in groundwater, making Pennsylvania and Florida among the states most vulnerable to these risks.
Other states, such as Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee, have experienced repeated landslides, while countries such as Thailand have recorded devastating incidents, including a massive landslide in Bangkok that forced the evacuation of residents.
Landslide losses in the United States are estimated to have exceeded $300 million annually over the past fifteen years, according to the U.S. Geological Service.
