Mechanism of deep-water international submarine cables damage: submarine earthquakes

ZHANG Mengran; XIE Anyuan; HE Huizhong; LU Rong; TANG Minqiang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1001-909X.2024.04.009

PDF(18589 KB)

Journal of Marine Sciences ›› 2024, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (4) : 100-113. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-909X.2024.04.009

Mechanism of deep-water international submarine cables damage: submarine earthquakes

ZHANG Mengran ¹^,² ,
XIE Anyuan ¹^,³^,^* ,
HE Huizhong ¹^,³ ,
LU Rong ¹^,³ ,
TANG Minqiang ¹^,³

Author information +

History +

Abstract

Submarine earthquake is one of the most major factors causing deep-water international submarine cables damage. Understanding the process of submarine cables damage and the mechanism of submarine cables damage caused by turbidity currents after earthquake are of great significance to the security maintenance of international submarine communications. Combined with the lastest research result of global seabed topography and using professional international submarine cables engineering software Makaiplan, the process of plenty of submarine cables damage after Grand Banks Earthquake and Hengchun Earthquake were studied, then the relationship between the pattern of submarine cable damage and the developing process of turbidity currents after earthquake was found, and the mechanism of submarine cables damage caused by turbidity currents after earthquake was summarized. Study result shows that submarine cables break points are located intentively in submarine canyons and trenches. The movement speed of turbidity currents in submarine canyon and submarine trench, which caused submarine cable damage, can reach several ten kilometers to several hundred kilometres per hour. Terrestrial rivers and continental shelf undersea river channels provide materials transportation for the development of turbidity currents. Submarine canyons and trenchs are the pathes of turbidity currents movement then damage plenty of submarine cables. The turbidity currents that developed from upper continental slope in passive continental margin after earthquake can damage submarine cables laid on continental slope, continental rise and abyssal plain. This kind of turbidity currents achieves maximum speed on continental slope, then self-accelerate on abyssal plain. Multiple turbidity currents can develop at different positions of continental slope at the same time in active continental margin, then strike submarine cables which laid on canyons and trenches for multiple times. This kind of turbidity currents achieves maximum speed and self-accelerates in submarine trenches. There are several earthquake-resistance measures: submarine cable routes trying to avoid crossing submarine canyons and trenches which connected to terrestrial rivers or continental shelf channels; using shallow water type submarine cable which has outer armor protection when crossing inevitably; laying submarine cables suspended slightly on the bottom of canyons or trenches with Uraduct protection on them; changing the cross-section shape of submarine cable.

Key words

submarine earthquake / deep-water cables / submarine canyon / submarine trench / turbidity currents / self-accelerate / mechanism / earthquake-resistance measures

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

ZHANG Mengran , XIE Anyuan , HE Huizhong , et al . Mechanism of deep-water international submarine cables damage: submarine earthquakes[J]. Journal of Marine Sciences. 2024, 42(4): 100-113 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-909X.2024.04.009

References

List( Publishing order | Descend order by publishing year | Descend order by cited within ) Chart analysis

[1]	PALMER F A. A global comparison of repair commencement times: Update on the analysis of cable repair data[C]// Inter-national Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) Plenary, 2022. Cited in this article [2]

[2]	KORDAHI M E, RAPP R J, STIX R K, et al. Global trends in submarine cable system faults 2019 update[C]// Proceedings of the SubOptic2019, 2019: 1-7. Cited in this article [1]

[3]	叶银灿, 姜新民, 潘国富, 等. 海底光缆工程[M]. 北京: 海洋出版社, 2015. YE Y C, JIANG X M, PAN G F, et al. Submarine fiber optic cable engineering[M]. Beijing: China Ocean Press, 2015. Cited in this article [2]

[4]	裘忠良. 保护海底通信光缆的技术措施[J]. 航海, 2015(6):62-68. QIU Z L. Technical measures to protect submarine commu-nication optical cable[J]. Navigation, 2015(6): 62-68. Cited in this article [1]

[5]	蔡海民. 建立新型维护模式及时保障国际海缆可靠运营[J]. 世界电信, 2013, 26(7):36-39. CAI H M. Establishing a new maintenance mode to ensure the reliable operation of international submarine cables in time[J]. World Telecommunications, 2013, 26(7): 36-39. Cited in this article [1]

[6]	张效龙, 徐家声. 海缆安全影响因素评述[J]. 海岸工程, 2003, 22(2):1-7. ZHANG X L, XU J S. A survey of the factors affecting submarine cable safety[J]. Coastal Engineering, 2003, 22(2): 1-7. Cited in this article [1]

[7]	陈晓明, 高军诗, 朱晓卿. 海底光缆建设维护提升研究[J]. 信息通信技术, 2021, 15(4):79-84. CHEN X M, GAO J S, ZHU X Q. Study on the improvement of submarine cable construction and maintenance[J]. Infor-mation and Communications Technologies, 2021, 15(4): 79-84. Cited in this article [1]

[8]	颜志源. 首条“大三通”海缆:海峡光缆1号故障分析[J]. 计算机产品与流通, 2020(10):281. YAN Z Y. Fault analysis of the first “big three links” submarine cable—Strait optical cable No.1[J]. Computer Products and Circulation, 2020(10): 281. Cited in this article [1]

[9]	袁峰, 查苗, 张鹏杨. 海底光缆的船锚威胁及其防护措施[J]. 光纤与电缆及其应用技术, 2015(6):26-29. YUAN F, ZHA M, ZHANG P Y. Anchor threats and protection measures of submarine cables[J]. Optical Fiber & Electric Cable and Their Applications, 2015(6): 26-29. Cited in this article [1]

[10]	陈小玲, 李冬, 陈培雄, 等. 渔业活动对东海海域海底光缆安全的影响[J]. 海洋学研究, 2010, 28(2):72-78. CHEN X L, LI D, CHEN P X, et al. The effect study on submarine cable safety caused by fishing activities[J]. Journal of Marine Sciences, 2010, 28(2): 72-78. Cited in this article [1]

[11]	刘爱文. 海底光缆的地震影响分析[J]. 国际地震动态, 2007(2):19-23. LIU A W. Earthquake effects on submarine cables[J]. Recent Developments in World Seismology, 2007(2):19-23. Cited in this article [1]

[12]	HEEZEN B C, EWING W M. Turbidity currents and submarine slumps, and the 1929 Grand Banks earthquake[J]. American Journal of Science, 1952, 250(12): 849-873. Cited in this article [6]

[13]	PIPER D J W, COCHONAT P, MORRISON M L. The sequence of events around the epicentre of the 1929 Grand Banks earthquake: Initiation of debris flows and turbidity current inferred from sidescan sonar[J]. Sedimentology, 1999, 46(1): 79-97. Cited in this article [3]

[14]	JAMES T L, DON C S. How submarine canyons function: Insights from the cable-crossed Gaoping and Fangliao canyons, Taiwan[C]// International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) Plenary, 2015. Cited in this article [2]

[15]	徐景平. 海底浊流研究百年回顾[J]. 中国海洋大学学报:自然科学版, 2014, 44(10):98-105. XU J P. Turbidity current research in the past century: An overview[J]. Periodical of Ocean University of China, 2014, 44(10): 98-105. Cited in this article [1]

[16]	LØVHOLT F, SCHULTEN I, MOSHER D, et al. Modelling the 1929 Grand Banks slump and landslide tsunami[J]. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 2019, 477(1): 315-331. Cited in this article [1]

[17]	RUFFMAN A, HANN V. The Newfoundland tsunami of November 18, 1929: An examination of the twenty-eight deaths of the “South Coast Disaster”[J]. Newfoundland and Labrador Studies, 2006, 21(1): 97-148. Cited in this article [1]

[18]	FINE I V, RABINOVICH A B, BORNHOLD B D, et al. The Grand Banks landslide-generated tsunami of November 18, 1929: Preliminary analysis and numerical modeling[J]. Marine Geology, 2005, 215(1/2): 45-57. Cited in this article [4]

[19]	NOF D. Rotational turbidity flows and the 1929 Grand Banks earthquake[J]. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 1996, 43(8): 1143-1163. Cited in this article [1]

[20]	LEONARD P E. Frequency and triggering mechanisms of submarine mass movements and their geohazard implications[D]. Durham, North East England, UK: Durham University, 2017. Cited in this article [1]

[21]	CARTER L, GAVEY R, TALLING P, et al. Insights into submarine geohazards from breaks in subsea telecommunication cables[J]. Oceanography, 2014, 27(2): 58-67. Cited in this article [1]

[22]	HSU S K, KUO J, CHUNG L L, et al. Turbidity currents, submarine landslides and the 2006 Pingtung earthquake off SW Taiwan[J]. Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, 2008, 19(6): 767-772. Cited in this article [6]

[23]	WENG Y T, LIN C C, JEAN W Y, et al. Learning from earthquakes: the M_L6.7(M_W7.1) Taiwan earthquake of December 26, 2006[R/OL]. [2022-12-22]. https://www.eeri.org/lfe/pdf/taiwan_December_26_2006_EQ.pdf https://www.eeri.org/lfe/pdf/taiwan_December_26_2006_EQ.pdf Cited in this article [4]

[24]	胡晓女. 就中国台湾地震海缆中断谈海缆通信[J]. 通信世界, 2007(2):1-3. HU X N. Discussion on submarine cable communication based on submarine cable interruption in China Taiwan Province earthquake[J]. Communications World, 2007(2): 1-3. Cited in this article [3]

[25]

孙振凯. 台湾南部发生7.2级地震地震损坏海底电缆亚洲互联网、通讯受阻[J]. 国际地震动态, 2007(1):43-44.

SUN

Z K

. An earthquake of magnitude 7.2 occurred in southern in China Taiwan Province, which damaged submarine cables, Asian Internet and blocked communication[J]. Recent Developments in World Seismology, 2007(1): 43-44.

Cited in this article [1]

[26]	约瑟·切斯尼. 海底光缆通信系统:上册:设计及应用[M]. 北京: 机械工业出版社, 2018. CHESNOY J. Undersea fiber communication systems: volume one: design & applications[M]. Beijing: China Machine Press, 2018. Cited in this article [1]

[27]	Milestones: French transatlantic telegraph cable of 1898[EB/OL]. (2018-2-06) [2022-2-22]. https://ethw.org/Milestones:French_Transatlantic_Telegraph_Cable_of_1898 https://ethw.org/Milestones:French_Transatlantic_Telegraph_Cable_of_1898 Cited in this article [2]

[28]

RAPP

R J

. Cable laying and repair-cable ship operations [EB/OL]. (2014-2-23) [2022-2-22]. http://www.sargassoseacommission.org/storage/documents/Cable_Instal-lation_and_Maintenance_-_TE_SubCom_Sargasso_Sea_Final1.pdf

http://www.sargassoseacommission.org/storage/documents/Cable_Instal-lation_and_Maintenance_-_TE_SubCom_Sargasso_Sea_Final1.pdf

Cited in this article [3]

[29]	MAYER L, JAKOBSSON M, ALLEN G, et al. The Nippon foundation—GEBCO seabed 2030 project: The quest to see the world’s oceans completely mapped by 2030[J]. Geosciences, 2018, 8(2): 63-81. Cited in this article [1]

[30]	张旭苹, 陈晓红, 梁蕾, 等. 长距离海缆在线监测改进型C-OTDR系统[J]. 光学学报, 2021, 41(13):1306001. ZHANG X P, CHEN X H, LIANG L, et al. Enhanced C-OTDR-based online monitoring scheme for long-distance submarine cables[J]. Acta Optica Sinica, 2021, 41(13): 1306001. Cited in this article [1]

[31]	冯迎宾, 刘文竹, 杨昆, 等. 海底观测网海缆低阻抗故障识别及定位方法[J]. 海洋技术学报, 2020, 39(5):39-45. FENG Y B, LIU W Z, YANG K, et al. Detection and location of low impedance fault for submarine cable of seafloor observatory network[J]. Journal of Ocean Technology, 2020, 39(5): 39-45. Cited in this article [1]

[32]	隗小斐, 吴学智. COTDR技术在海光缆监测中的应用[J]. 信息通信, 2017(8):4-6. WEI X F, WU X Z. Application of COTDR technology in submarine cable monitoring[J]. Information & Communi-cations, 2017(8): 4-6. Cited in this article [1]

[33]	LENG W. Investigating sedimentary records of deglacial outburst events from the Laurentian Channel ice stream[D]. Bremen: Universitat Bremen, 2018. Cited in this article [1]

[34]	GAGNÉ H, LAJEUNESSE P, ST-ONGE G, et al. Recent transfer of coastal sediments to the Laurentian Channel, Lower St.Lawrence Estuary (Eastern Canada), through submarine canyon and fan systems[J]. Geo-Marine Letters, 2009, 29(3): 191-200. Cited in this article [1]

[35]	PINET N, BRAKE V, CAMPBELL C, et al. Seafloor and shallow subsurface of the St. Lawrence River Estuary[J]. Geoscience Canada, 2011, 38(1): 31-40. Cited in this article [1]

[36]	PIPER D J W, SHAW J, SKENE K I. Stratigraphic and sedimentological evidence for late Wisconsinan sub-glacial outburst floods to Laurentian Fan[J]. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 2007, 246(1): 101-119. Cited in this article [1]

[37]	LENG W, VON DOBENECK T, JUST J, et al. Compositional changes in deglacial red mud event beds off the Laurentian Channel reveal source mixing, grain-size partitioning and ice retreat[J]. Quaternary Science Reviews, 2019, 215: 98-115. Cited in this article [1]

[38]	王策, 崔贺旗, 曾乐田, 等. 马尼拉海沟北部沉积物物源示踪:来自碎屑锆石年代学的评估[J]. 中国科学:地球科学, 2023, 53(1):41-54. WANG C, CUI H Q, ZENG L T, et al. Provenance of sediments in the northern Manila Trench: An assessment from detrital zircon geochronology[J]. Science China Earth Sciences, 2023, 66(1): 41-53. Cited in this article [1]

[39]	江肖鹏, 王远见, 杨飞, 等. 水沙自加速异重流水槽试验研究[J]. 人民黄河, 2022, 44(4): 132-136. JIANG X P, WANG Y J, YANG F, et al. Experimental study on self-accelerating turbidity currents in flume[J]. Yellow River, 2022, 44(4): 132-136. Cited in this article [1]

[40]	ALHADDAD S, DE WIT L, LABEUR R J, et al. Modeling of breaching-generated turbidity currents using large eddy simulation[J]. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 2020, 8(9): 728. Cited in this article [1]

[41]	SEQUEIROS O E, NARUSE H, ENDO N, et al. Experimen-tal study on self-accelerating turbidity currents[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 2009, 114: C05025. Cited in this article [1]

[42]

TALLING

P J

, BAKER

M L

, POPE

E L

, et al. Longest sediment flows yet measured show how major rivers connect efficiently to deep sea[J]. Nature Communications, 2022, 13(1): 4193.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-31689-3

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35858962

Cited in this article [1] Abstract

Here we show how major rivers can efficiently connect to the deep-sea, by analysing the longest runout sediment flows (of any type) yet measured in action on Earth. These seafloor turbidity currents originated from the Congo River-mouth, with one flow travelling >1,130 km whilst accelerating from 5.2 to 8.0 m/s. In one year, these turbidity currents eroded 1,338-2,675 [>535-1,070] Mt of sediment from one submarine canyon, equivalent to 19-37 [>7-15] % of annual suspended sediment flux from present-day rivers. It was known earthquakes trigger canyon-flushing flows. We show river-floods also generate canyon-flushing flows, primed by rapid sediment-accumulation at the river-mouth, and sometimes triggered by spring tides weeks to months post-flood. It is demonstrated that strongly erosional turbidity currents self-accelerate, thereby travelling much further, validating a long-proposed theory. These observations explain highly-efficient organic carbon transfer, and have important implications for hazards to seabed cables, or deep-sea impacts of terrestrial climate change.© 2022. The Author(s).

[43]	TALLING P J, CARTIGNY M J B, POPE E, et al. Detailed monitoring reveals the nature of submarine turbidity currents[J]. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 2023, 4: 642-658. Cited in this article [1]

[44]	江伟, 邵振宇, 栗之炜. 深海海底光缆敷设施工余量控制的原理和控制软件的应用[J]. 海洋开发与管理, 2018, 35(8):90-94. JIANG W, SHAO Z Y, LI Z W. The principle of slack control in submarine cable laying in deep sea and application of control software[J]. Ocean Development and Management, 2018, 35(8): 90-94. Cited in this article [1]

[45]

栗之炜. 论Makailay软件对深海海底光缆敷设精确性的影响[C]// 第四届全国海底光缆通信技术研讨会论文集. 北京: 人民邮电出版社, 2017:80-86.

Z W

. The influence discussion of Makailay software on the accuracy of deep ocean submarine optical cable laying[C]// Proceedings of the fourth national symposium on submarine fiber optical cable communication technology. Beijing: Posts & Telecom Press, 2017: 80-86.

Cited in this article [1]

[46]	赵波. 海缆船的现状与展望[J]. 航海技术, 2016(3):74-77. ZHAO B. The current situation and prospect of submarine cable ship[J]. Marine Technology, 2016(3): 74-77. Cited in this article [1]

[47]

李同, 郭智慧, 徐建军, 等. 运用Makailay软件提高深海地震勘探放缆精度[J]. 物探装备, 2012, 22(2):85-89.

Abstract

Makailay软件是专门用于海底电缆收放的软件,本文通过对该软件工作原理及放缆实例的分析,重点阐述了该软件在沙特红海某二维深水过渡带项目节点释放过程中起到的指导作用及其对深水节点点位精度的提高｡建议在以后的深海地震勘探项目中推广应用,以提高放缆精度｡

, GUO

Z H

, XU

J J

, et al. Using Makailay software to improve cable laying accuracy in deep sea exploration[J]. Equipment for Geophysical Prospecting, 2012, 22(2): 85-89.

Cited in this article [1] Abstract

Makailay software is designed for submarine cable laying and plays an important role in guiding deep water node layout and increasing the node position accuracy,during one 2D deep water TZ(transit zone)project in Saudi Arabia Red Sea.This paper analysis the working theory and the project example,then recommended that this software can be widely applied in later deep seismic exploration project to improve laying precision.

[48]	OGASAWARA Y, NATSU W. Proposal for reducing failure rate of fibre-optic submarine cables in deep-sea based on fault analysis and experiments[J]. Journal of Advanced Marine Science and Technology Society, 2020, 25(2): 1-12. Cited in this article [1]

[49]

舒畅, 王瑛剑, 李晓东. URADUCT保护套管在深海海底光缆施工中的应用研究[C]// 第四届全国海底光缆通信技术研讨会论文集. 北京: 人民邮电出版社, 2017:52-57.

SHU

, WANG

Y J

, LI

X D

. Research on the application of URADUCT protective sleeve in the installation of deep ocean submarine fiber optical cable[C]// Proceedings of the fourth national symposium on submarine fiber optical cable communication technology. Beijing: Posts & Telecom Press, 2017: 52-57.

Cited in this article [1]

[50]	方磊. SPAR平台系泊缆疲劳寿命评估方法研究[D]. 天津: 天津大学, 2008. FANG L. Study on the assessment method of fatigue lift for mooring ropes of SPAR platform[D]. Tianjin: Tianjin University, 2008. Cited in this article [1]

[51]	张立永, 郝小龙, 何园园. 一种海底线缆: CN111292884A[P]. 2020-2-16. ZHANG L Y, HAO X L, HE Y Y. One type of submarine cable: CN111292884A[P]. 2020-2-16. Cited in this article [1]