Leeds researchers record seismic signals along a fibre cable in boreholes up to 250 m deep
What was demonstrated
University of Leeds researchers installed a fibre-optic cable in boreholes on the university campus, reaching depths of up to 250 m. Surveys in autumn 2024 produced seismic signals that could be detected with distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) along the full cable. The post says seismic velocity can be estimated down to around 200 m. The aim was to explore whether local sandstone layers can be used as geothermal reservoirs. The post gives no numerical velocity values and no error bounds.
Why it matters
The post suggests fibre sensing could help monitor a geothermal system over time. It does not discuss cost, so any cost benefit is unproven.
Caveats
- The source is a university news post, not a peer-reviewed paper. It gives no numerical velocity values or uncertainty.
- Velocity was estimated to around 200 m, not along the full 250 m cable.
- The post says heating could change seismic velocities and that other techniques may be needed to detect subtle changes. No such changes are reported in the post.
Technology profiles
Sources
- university press release
Listening Beneath the Surface: Fibre Optic Distributed Sensing on Campus
University of Leeds, 28 May 2025.
Last reviewed 21 Oct 2026.