Moon Could Get Cheap Earthquake Sensors Made of Fiber Optics

The moon's next generation of earthquake sensors might be as simple as rolling out cables across its dusty surface.

Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory found that fiber-optic cables placed directly on lunar ground could detect moonquakes just as effectively as the heavy, expensive seismometers used during the Apollo missions. A single cable could function like thousands of sensors at once, dramatically expanding our ability to monitor the moon's surprisingly active interior.

"The moon has a lot of seismic activity, but deploying traditional seismic sensors like seismometers is extremely difficult and costly," said Carly Donahue, lead scientist on two recent studies. "Fiber-optic cables are lightweight, robust and inexpensive, so we wondered: Could they be used on the surface of the moon to detect seismic activity there?"

The answer appears to be yes. The technology uses laser pulses sent through optical fibers to pick up tiny vibrations along the entire length of the cable. On Earth, these cables need to be buried to reduce noise, but experiments suggest the airless moon allows surface cables to capture strong signals without any digging required.

This matters more than ever as NASA prepares to send astronauts back to the moon through its Artemis program. Moonquakes are very different from earthquakes because they can last far longer, sometimes shaking for hours as seismic energy slowly dissipates through the moon's fractured interior. These tremors come from Earth's tidal forces, meteorite impacts, and extreme temperature swings as the lunar surface heats and cools.

Understanding where and when these quakes happen will be critical for keeping astronauts safe. Long-lasting vibrations could damage habitats, landing pads, and other equipment. Seismic mapping will help engineers choose safer locations for lunar bases and design structures that can withstand repeated stress.

The Apollo missions recorded thousands of moonquakes between 1969 and 1977, but those seismometers were limited in number and reach. A robotic rover could unspool miles of fiber-optic cable across the lunar surface without needing an astronaut to travel long distances installing sensors.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond safety, this technology could reveal secrets about the moon's interior composition and whether it has fault lines. The same cables could also track how far dust and debris spread during spacecraft landings, helping assess sandblast risks for future operations.

The research team published their findings in two studies this year in the journals Icarus and Earth and Space Science. They found that thicker cables produce stronger signals but add weight, creating an important trade-off for space missions where every ounce counts.

If the technology proves successful on the moon, it could transform how we monitor seismic activity on other worlds. What started as a question about whether simple cables could work has turned into a potential game-changer for lunar exploration and the safety of future moon residents.