Researchers Tested Utah Geothermal Seismic Array

A study published in 2026 evaluated fiber-optic borehole sensing at a geothermal site in Utah.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Geology

An industrial fiber-optic cable spool sits on red desert ground next to a borehole casing in the Utah landscape. — Researchers in Utah successfully tested a fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing array at the Cape Modern geothermal site to better capture precise seismic data from microearthquakes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In 2026, researchers successfully tested a distributed acoustic sensing array at the Cape Modern geothermal site in Utah. The project used fiber-optic technology to capture seismic waves from thousands of microearthquakes.

Why it matters

Small earthquakes are historically difficult to study because their seismic energy dissipates rapidly. This method provides more precise and sensitive seismic data to help improve hazard assessments.

The study utilized a 3,000-meter deep borehole equipped with 1,600 sensors spaced 2 meters apart. Researchers analyzed seismic properties by measuring strain through light variations reflected along the fiber-optic cable.

The players

Cape Modern

This is a geothermal site in Utah that served as the location for the distributed acoustic sensing deployment.

The details

The research team found that while high attenuation occurred near the surface, it decreased significantly with depth. Observations also confirmed that spectral stress drop in these microearthquakes did not depend on earthquake magnitude.

The study was published in 2026.

The Big Picture

The research findings extend the U.S. Geological Survey earthquake hazard assessment protocols by introducing high-density sensing capabilities. This shift challenges legacy limitations in detecting low-magnitude seismic events.

Refined seismic monitoring techniques could eventually lead to more accurate hazard assessments for residents living in earthquake-prone regions. Improved data collection may also enhance the safety and efficiency of geothermal energy operations.

The takeaway

This study demonstrates how fiber-optic cables can transform standard boreholes into sensitive seismic detection networks. Future seismic infrastructure may increasingly rely on these high-density sensing arrays to bridge the gap in low-magnitude earthquake data.