Improving earthquake localization in Vulcano island through DAS technology

One of the major challenges in earthquake localization in the Aeolian Archipelago, particularly on Vulcano Island, arises from the significant coverage gap caused by the lack of seismic stations installed in marine areas, which are terrestrial zones where installation is challenging or impossible. Deploying stations offshore is logistically and financially demanding, limiting the spatial resolution of seismic monitoring networks in the region.

To address this gap, we explored the potential of using submarine fiber optic cables, traditionally deployed for telecommunication purposes, as seismic sensors. These cables were interrogated by a Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) device, effectively creating a virtual seismic network in previously inaccessible areas. This innovative approach allows the DAS-derived signals to emulate conventional seismic recordings, enabling their integration into existing monitoring frameworks.

We processed the DAS data to generate seismic signals comparable to those obtained from traditional seismic stations. These signals were converted into SUDS files, which were subsequently analyzed using INGV-OE localization software, Seismpicker. Combining these DAS-derived seismic records with data from the permanent monitoring network, we re-evaluated the localization of several seismic events that occurred on Vulcano Island in January-February 2022. The inclusion of DAS data significantly enhanced the accuracy of hypocenter estimations, demonstrating its potential to fill critical observational gaps in the region.

Future work will focus on refining the DAS signal processing pipeline to improve the fidelity and reliability of seismic waveforms. Additionally, expanding the use of DAS technology across other submarine cables in the Aeolian Archipelago could further enhance seismic monitoring capabilities, providing a cost-effective solution to address the limitations of traditional networks. This approach underscores the transformative potential of leveraging existing telecommunication infrastructure to advance geophysical research and hazard mitigation efforts.