Objective Earthquakes have caused more than half a million of fatalities in the past 20 years. A large fraction of this death toll arises from the current lack of systematic predictive signals. While some theories describe earthquakes as intrinsically stochastic processes, challenging or impossible to predict, evidence from laboratory and numerical experiments indicates that earthquakes could be preceded by a preparatory phase. But despite all efforts, only incomplete observations of such phase have been achieved. This observational gap is mainly due to our inability to deploy extensive sensor networks near the earthquake nucleation zone, especially for large earthquakes that are the most likely to produce precursors detectable at the surface.I propose to probe the mechanical state of a fault prior to large earthquakes using seismic waves recorded on the largest and densest seismic array ever deployed directly above one of the most active faults on Earth: the Chilean subduction zone. Long term monitoring of its vigorous activity will allow my team to observe the preparatory phase of several strong earthquakes (M>6).To achieve this, I will use a revolutionary technology, Distributed Acoustic Sensing, to convert several ~100 km long segments of fiber optic telecommunication cables that run offshore along the 4200 km of the Chilean subduction zone, into a large and dense ocean-bottom seismic observatory. The unique data produced by this new observatory will enable the detection of weak earthquakes and changes in the crustal properties with a sensitivity that has never been achieved before.This transformative capability, augmented by the development of real time data processing workflows, will enhance the early warning system in Chile by improving the timeliness and accuracy of earthquake warnings. The expected outcomes of this project will have a transformative impact on earthquake science as well as on the reduction of societal vulnerability to natural hazards. Fields of science natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologyseismologyplate tectonicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesacousticsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesphysical geographynatural disastersnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsfibre opticsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencedata processing Keywords Subduction zone megathrust faults Earthquake precursors Earthquake forecast Earthquake Early Warning System Distributed Acoustics Sensing Submarine Fiber Optic Cable Chilean Subduction Zone Programme(s) HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2021-STG - ERC STARTING GRANTS Call for proposal ERC-2021-STG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC - Support for frontier research (ERC) Coordinator OBSERVATOIRE DE LA COTE D'AZUR (OCA) Net EU contribution € 2 059 718,75 Address Boulevard de l'observatoire 06304 Nice France See on map Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Alpes-Maritimes Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Participants (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all Third-party Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure. INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT France Net EU contribution € 42 778,75 Address Boulevard de dunkerque 44 cs 90009 13572 Marseille See on map Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Bouches-du-Rhône Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Third-party Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure. CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS France Net EU contribution € 32 472,50 Address Rue michel ange 3 75794 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
