Distributed Strain, Temperature and Acoustic seNsing Suite (DiSTANS)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Environmental Sciences
Abstract
The DiSTANS project will use state-of-the-art technology to provide a brand-new method of monitoring changes underground. This offers the possibility of game-changing data capture to examine subsurface processes. This method uses fibre optic cables similar to those used in telecommunications, to get data from underground at a speed and density that far exceeds traditional monitoring technology.
The optical fibres in the cables have small imperfections in them. The new technology shoots a pulse of light along the fibres, which reflects off the imperfections and returns to the recorder. The tiny differences in the time that the light takes to return will tell us about very small vibrations, temperature changes and movements around the underground cable.
Because the cable is the sensor, we can monitor the underground conditions for up to 15 km and see differences along the cable as close together as 25 cm. These measurements are taken one hundred thousand times each second, which means that very quick changes can also be measured.
This new technology, called distributed strain, temperature and acoustic sensing suite, can be used in many different places. It can be used to monitor volcanoes and earthquakes, but can also be used to keep track of traffic and people walking. For the first project, we will be installing the DiSTANS system on the North Norfolk coast, where the sea erodes the coast at a rate of 10 cm per year, threatening people's houses and businesses, and posing a danger for people and wildlife who use the coast. We will monitor small cracking and slumping before landslides, and how these are affected by temperature changes each day and season.
The optical fibres in the cables have small imperfections in them. The new technology shoots a pulse of light along the fibres, which reflects off the imperfections and returns to the recorder. The tiny differences in the time that the light takes to return will tell us about very small vibrations, temperature changes and movements around the underground cable.
Because the cable is the sensor, we can monitor the underground conditions for up to 15 km and see differences along the cable as close together as 25 cm. These measurements are taken one hundred thousand times each second, which means that very quick changes can also be measured.
This new technology, called distributed strain, temperature and acoustic sensing suite, can be used in many different places. It can be used to monitor volcanoes and earthquakes, but can also be used to keep track of traffic and people walking. For the first project, we will be installing the DiSTANS system on the North Norfolk coast, where the sea erodes the coast at a rate of 10 cm per year, threatening people's houses and businesses, and posing a danger for people and wildlife who use the coast. We will monitor small cracking and slumping before landslides, and how these are affected by temperature changes each day and season.
Organisations
Description | ARIES studentships |
Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of East Anglia |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2023 |
End | 03/2027 |
Description | Critical Decade of Climate Change Leverhulme Studentships |
Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of East Anglia |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2023 |
End | 03/2027 |
Description | Science Faculty Studentships |
Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of East Anglia |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2023 |
End | 09/2026 |
Description | North Norfolk District Council |
Organisation | North Norfolk District Council |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Supervising a PhD student |
Collaborator Contribution | 50% fund a PhD studentship and co-supervise the project |
Impact | Nothing yet - Phd will start in October |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Local Media |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Interviews and filming with Look East (BBC) and ITV for local TV news and web news. Picked up by additional local news (EDP, North Norfolk News etc) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/news/article/uea-launches-cutting-edge-collaborative-project-to-investig... |
Description | Parish Newsletter |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Article for the Trimingham Parish Newsletter to update the residents on the project |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |