SUBMarine cablEs for ReSearch and Exploration

SUBMERSE is a European project that explores the use of existing submarine fibre-optic cables as a new platform for continuous observation of the ocean and the Earth. By integrating technologies such as Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and State of Polarisation (SoP), the project transforms telecommunications infrastructure into distributed sensors capable of detecting geophysical, oceanographic, biological and anthropogenic signals. This approach enables the collection of data on earthquakes, waves, currents, sea state, maritime traffic and cetacean vocalisations, with a lower relative cost and broader spatial coverage than many traditional methods. SUBMERSE demonstrated the potential of submarine cables as dual-use scientific infrastructures, contributing to environmental monitoring, sustainable ocean management, the protection of marine life and the future development of early-warning systems.