Abstract: A seismic warning system comprises: a plurality of sensors, each sensor sensitive to a physical phenomenon associated with seismic events and operative to output an electronic signal representative of the sensed physical phenomenon; a data acquisition unit communicatively coupled to receive the electronic signal from each of the plurality of sensors, the data acquisition unit comprising a processor configured to estimate characteristics of a seismic event based on the electronic signal associated with a P-wave from each of the plurality of sensors; and a local device communicatively coupled to the data acquisition unit. The plurality of sensors, the data acquisition unit and the local device are local to one another.

Abstract: A seismic warning system comprises: a plurality of sensors, each sensor sensitive to a physical phenomenon associated with seismic events and operative to output an electronic signal representative of the sensed physical phenomenon; a data acquisition unit communicatively coupled to receive the electronic signal from each of the plurality of sensors, the data acquisition unit comprising a processor configured to estimate characteristics of a seismic event based on the electronic signal associated with a P-wave from each of the plurality of sensors; and a local device communicatively coupled to the data acquisition unit. The plurality of sensors, the data acquisition unit and the local device are local to one another.

Abstract: A system is described in which one or more loops of single mode optical fiber are buried in a face or crest of a slope such as a tailings dam. An optical interrogator such as a Brillouin frequency domain interrogator sweeps the optical fiber to measure strain and temperature at locations distributed along the length of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide systems and methods for using ballast sensors to detect rock fall events in a vicinity of railway tracks or similar roadways or tracks. The ballast sensors are spaced apart from the tracks. Particular embodiments permit the use of signals from the ballast sensors to discriminate rock fall events from other types of events and to detect the hypocenter of a rock fall event.