Urban sensing using existing fiber-optic networks

Jingxiao Liu (), Haipeng Li, Hae Young Noh, Paolo Santi, Biondo Biondi and Carlo Ratti
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Jingxiao Liu: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Haipeng Li: Stanford University
Hae Young Noh: Stanford University
Paolo Santi: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Biondo Biondi: Stanford University
Carlo Ratti: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The analysis of urban seismic signals offers valuable insights into urban environments and society. Yet, accurate detection and localization of seismic sources on a city-wide scale with conventional seismographic network is unavailable due to the prohibitive costs of ultra-dense seismic arrays required for imaging high-frequency anthropogenic sources. Here, we leverage existing fiber-optic networks as a distributed acoustic sensing system to accurately locate urban seismic sources and estimate how their intensity varies over time. By repurposing a 50-kilometer telecommunication fiber into an ultra-dense seismic array, we generate spatiotemporal maps of seismic source power (SSP) across San Jose, California. Our approach overcomes the proximity limitations of urban seismic sensing, enabling accurate localization of remote seismic sources generated by urban activities, such as traffic, construction, and school operations. We also show strong correlations between SSP values and environmental noise levels, as well as various persistent urban features, including land use patterns and demographics.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57997-y

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