Canary Islands implement seismic fiber optics and new subsea cable connections

In Tenerife, the Cabildo is planning to utilize the fiber optic network in Teide National Park as a seismic detection system. By implementing High-Fidelity Distributed Acoustic Sensing (HDAS) technology, the existing cables will be converted into a seismic sensor network. This system works by sending laser pulses through the fiber and analyzing light changes caused by seismic waves, allowing for continuous monitoring of ground deformations.

This initiative follows a period of increased seismic activity in Las Cañadas del Teide, where the National Geographic Institute recorded 611 earthquakes in July. The regulator, CNMC, has clarified that the network will be used for public functions such as civil protection, scientific monitoring, and infrastructure connection rather than commercial internet services.

Simultaneously, a new subsea fiber optic project known as the ‘Eastern Islands Ring’ is being deployed to connect Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote with the Moroccan coast at Tarfaya. Managed by Canalink, the project aims to strengthen connectivity between the Canary Islands and serve as a digital node between Europe and Africa. While the current agreement focuses on Tarfaya, the proximity to Western Sahara has raised geopolitical discussions regarding potential future extensions of the network into disputed territories.