Sintela’s ONYX™ Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology helps protect lives, infrastructure, and operations through persistent, real-time seismic monitoring. Built for governments, engineers, researchers, and safety teams, ONYX™ delivers continuous situational awareness across vast geographic areas.
Most of This Damage Was Preventable
- 750,000 deaths caused by earthquakes over a 20-year period
- 21% of global disaster losses are attributed to earthquakes
- 85% of disaster-related deaths in 2023 were caused by earthquakes
- Just 1% of earthquakes account for 93% of fatalities, with many occurring in areas lacking adequate monitoring
How Do Fiber Cables Monitor Seismic Activity?
Sintela’s ONYX™ platform transforms existing fiber optic cables into a continuous network of sensors capable of detecting and mapping ground vibrations in real time. A single unit can monitor up to 200 km of fiber, providing unprecedented coverage and sensitivity.
Leading universities, government agencies, and industrial operators use ONYX™ to monitor earthquakes, volcanic activity, mine microseismicity, and seafloor dynamics. Unlike traditional seismometers that provide measurements at isolated points, ONYX™ delivers continuous coverage along the entire fiber route.
By turning passive telecommunications infrastructure into an intelligent sensing network, ONYX™ enables large-scale seismic monitoring without requiring new cable installation.
How Our Seismic Monitoring System Works?
Connect to Existing Fiber
ONYX™ connects directly to existing telecommunications fiber, eliminating the need for new cable installations or ground disturbances. Your infrastructure becomes a continuous sensing array from day one.
Real-Time Seismic Data Collection
Every meter of fiber functions as a sensor, continuously capturing ground vibrations, acoustic signals, and seismic waves. This creates uninterrupted coverage across the entire monitoring area.
Data Transmission to Central Platform
After edge processing, data is securely transmitted to Sintela’s central monitoring platform. Operators gain a unified, real-time view of seismic activity across assets spanning hundreds of kilometers.
AI-Powered Analysis and Event Detection
Advanced AI-driven analytics filter environmental noise and identify meaningful seismic events with exceptional accuracy and low false-alarm rates.
Alerts and Visual Dashboard
When seismic activity is detected, instant alerts are sent to designated personnel. A live dashboard displays event location, intensity, and progression, enabling rapid, informed decision-making.
Why Choose Sintela?
Sintela’s ONYX™ platform delivers industry-leading distributed fiber optic sensing and is trusted by governments, universities, and critical infrastructure operators worldwide.
- 20+ Years of DAS Expertise
- Zero Nuisance Alarms
- Works on Existing Fiber
- Tailored to Your Operation
- 0.53 m Smallest Gauge Length Available
Frequently Asked Questions
How is fiber optic seismic monitoring different from traditional seismometers?
Traditional seismometers measure ground movement at a single location. Fiber optic sensing provides continuous, gapless coverage along the entire length of a cable, offering a far more comprehensive view of seismic activity across large areas.
How does early earthquake warning work?
Earthquake early-warning systems detect fast-moving primary (P) waves, which typically cause little damage. Once detected, an alert can be issued before the slower but more destructive secondary (S) waves arrive, providing valuable seconds to minutes of warning depending on the distance from the epicenter.
Can seismic monitoring detect volcanic activity?
Yes. As magma moves beneath the Earth’s surface, it generates small seismic signals that can be detected before an eruption occurs. Continuous seismic monitoring helps identify these changes early, supporting volcanic hazard assessment and public safety efforts.
Who typically uses real-time seismic monitoring systems?
Real-time seismic monitoring is widely used by government agencies, engineering firms, mining operators, critical infrastructure owners, researchers, and public safety organizations. These systems are deployed wherever ground movement could threaten people, assets, or operations.
Can The System Run 24/7?
Yes. ONYX™ delivers continuous, uninterrupted monitoring 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Its low-power architecture and ruggedized hardware are designed for long-term deployment in both remote and challenging environments.