In January 2025, we deployed the first prototype of Geo-Sense, a portable distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system designed for long-term, high-resolution monitoring of the seafloor. The deployment took place in Monterey Canyon, just offshore from MBARI, and marks a major step in adapting DAS technology for ocean science.

Geo-Sense uses a fiber-optic cable laid on the seafloor to detect tiny strains and vibrations. By analyzing the way laser pulses scatter along the cable, we can track a wide range of processes—from sediment transport to earthquakes. The system effectively turns a standard telecom cable into a dense, real-time sensor array.

This first deployment was a collaboration between MBARI’s Seafloor Processes team and UK-based Sintela. We successfully recovered the instrument and are now analyzing the data. Early results look promising and will help guide future improvements to the system.

Our long-term goal is to develop flexible DAS platforms that can be rapidly deployed in diverse environments – from deep-sea canyons to Arctic fjords – to monitor geohazards, seafloor evolution, and environmental change.