Near-coast fibre-optic sensing within project SAFAtor

The SAFAtor project (SMART cables And Fibre-optic sensing Amphibious demonstrator) was kicked-off in March 2025, as a €30 million infrastructure initiative by the German Helmholtz Association.  We investigate critical observational gaps from the continental landmass to the shelf and slope (coordinated by GFZ, and focus of this presentation) and in the deep ocean using novel cable technologies (coordinated by GEOMAR).  This infrastructure project further includes the establishment of data services. 

Our testbeds comprise sites at onshore and offshore Mount Etna/Italy, from Istanbul into the Marmara Sea/Turkey, and at the Northern Chilean coast.  Here, we have started integrating surveying with Distributed Dynamic Strain Sensing (DDSS) into existing Plate Boundary Observatories to address key questions on volcanic processes, fault dynamics, and preparatory phases of earthquakes.  Thereby, we want to significantly enhance monitoring capabilities observing tectonic, volcanic, and fluid-driven activities.  Further, we tackle technical challenges like amphibious monitoring and recording of strong-motion events for seismic hazard assessment.  Using both well proven and also new DAS devices, we will complement this rapidly evolving field also in urban areas.  This will allow us to explore near-surface structures and material properties, as well as hydrological processes in connection with hazardous events. 

In our presentation we will provide an overview of the overall project concept and address the specific targets of the different tectonic regimes investigated near-coast.  We will discuss the experimental setups that we have started implementing in the light of first data gained, helping to optimize hazard research using distributed dynamic strain sensing techniques.  Hence, we will contribute ultimately to better prepare areas exposed to hazard at active plate boundaries and volcanic systems in coastal zones.