Germany Funds Development Tender

Every seismic wave that traverses the earths crust changes it slightly. State-of-the-art sensor technology now makes it possible for the first time to reassess risks such as landslides or the stability of bridges and buildings. Prof. Dr. Cline Hadziioannou from the University of Hamburg coordinates the development of new methods for earth observation across Europe. The European Union is funding the network with around four million euros over four years.The possibilities of new sensor technology are being analyzed theoretically and practically at nine European research institutions as part of the project. Together with authorities and manufacturers researchers will design and test new applications over the next four years. At the same time they are training 15 young scientists in the new seismic methods.Cline Hadziioannou geophysicist at the Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability CEN and coordinator of the project saysIn order to take advantage of the new level of detail that technology offers we not only have to adapt our physical understanding. Our research and training will fundamentally change the way we monitor the earths crust and predict potential natural hazards in the future. Die Erdkruste ist auch ohne Beben oder Vulkanausbruch zu jeder Zeit in Bewegung. Nachweisen lsst sich das als sogenanntes seismisches Rauschen. Diese permanenten Hintergrundsignale entstehen zum Beispiel durch Ozeanwellen oder Flsse die gegen den Untergrund und die Ufer drcken ebenso wie durch Laster die ber eine Landstrae donnern. Die Seismologie kann dieses Rauschen auffangen und analysieren und so einen Blick ins Erdinnere und auf seine Beschaffenheit werfen.A new generation of measuring devices gives geophysics access to additional data with an unprecedented high resolution. For example fiber optic cables that are already available can be used to absorb seismic waves. All larger cities are wired with it but thousands of kilometers are also on the ocean floor where no sensors have recorded the movements at all.Hadziioannou continuesWith just one sensor at each end of the fiber optic cable we can receive a signal about every ten meters. There is a lot of exciting information hidden in this data. On land so-called rotation sensors and denser networks of measuring stations will further improve the spatial resolution of the data.We will get a much more precise picture of how the earths materials change over time. The technology is ready for use. Now we will develop concepts to apply them in the best possible way.On the one hand this can contribute to the early detection of major events such as landslides or volcanic eruptions. At the same time however the material of the earths crust is also changed by every event namely wherever seismic waves have penetrated it. This is the case over a wide area not just in the immediate vicinity of a shock. For example the rock in the ground gets microscopic cracks it becomes more porous. In the future such changes can be better detected and monitored.