Publication Date:
2023-09-04
Description:
The ITU/WMO/UNESCO-IOC Joint Task Force for Science Monitoring and Reliable Telecommunications (JTF SMART) is working to integrate environmental sensors into trans-ocean commercial submarine telecommunications cables to construct a global deep ocean observing array. The telecommunication signal along cables is boosted by repeaters every 50-100 km; these will be equipped with pressure and temperature sensors and accelerometers. Real-time ocean-bottom observations will quantify changes in climate, ocean circulation, and sea level, enable life-saving tsunami and earthquake early warning, and yield new insights into tectonic and deep Earth processes. Thus, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (i.e., SDG 9, 13, 14) are addressed. SMART Cables is an endorsed Project of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.We will review SMART systems and report progress toward realising that vision. Ocean modelling experiments are performed to quantify the benefits of SMART cables for monitoring Essential Ocean Variables and other characteristics. A wet demonstration system will be installed off Sicily in June 2023. Portugal has issued a request for tender for the 100% state-owned domestic CAM system connecting Continental Portugal, Azores, and Madeira in a 3700 km ring with 50 SMART repeaters to be installed in 2025. It is motivated by earthquake and tsunami disaster risk reduction, and improving understanding of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Further systems in various planning stages include Mediterranean, New Zealand-Chathams, Vanuatu-New Caledonia, Chile-Sydney, Chile-Antarctica, New Zealand-Antarctica, Indonesia, and Trans-Arctic Europe-Japan. Finally, the European Union has included SMART capability in its international submarine cable connectivity program (CEF2).
Language:
English
Type:
info:eu-repo/semantics/conferenceObject
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