The Potential of Continuous, Local Atomic Clock Measurements for Earthquake Prediction and Volcanology

TL;DR

This paper explores how advanced optical atomic clocks and fiber technology can precisely measure geoid variations over time, offering new possibilities for earthquake and volcano prediction, as well as monitoring ground uplift.

Contribution

It highlights the potential of atomic clocks to measure geoid changes with high temporal resolution, which is a novel application in geophysics and hazard prediction.

Findings

Atomic clocks can measure geoid variations with unprecedented precision.

Potential for improved earthquake and volcano prediction.

Enhanced monitoring of ground uplift in hydraulic fracturing areas.

Abstract

Modern optical atomic clocks along with the optical fiber technology currently being developed can measure the geoid, which is the equipotential surface that extends the mean sea level on continents, to a precision that competes with existing technology. In this proceeding, we point out that atomic clocks have the potential to not only map the sea level surface on continents, but also look at variations of the geoid as a function of time with unprecedented timing resolution. The local time series of the geoid has a plethora of applications. These include potential improvement in the predictions of earthquakes and volcanoes, and closer monitoring of ground uplift in areas where hydraulic fracturing is performed.