THIS IS THE PROBLEM: The police images show that the Svalbard fiber probably sustained crushing damage, says experts NRK has spoken to. A gap in the steel armoring exposed the cable itself. The weakened protection of the current-bearing layer of the cable led to the ground fault that occurred. The outermost layer is peeled off. The reinforcement is broken. For the first time in public, NRK can reveal what the Svalbard cable looked like after it was damaged on the night of 7 January 2022.
The Svalbard cable tear allowed seawater to come into contact with the copper layer carrying electrical current in one of the two cables that constitute the Svalbard fiber. This current is essential as it amplifies the fiber optic signals flowing through the 1300km long cables between the peninsula and the Norwegian mainland. As a result of the breakage, the current grounded, and the cable ceased to function. Until now, the exact means of damage had been undetermined, but recently uncovered photographs shed some much-needed light on the situation. Initially, police suspected human activity caused the damage, but the investigation was subsequently dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Expert Findings and Police Images
Several experts with extensive experience in submarine cables examined the images for NRK. Their consensus is that the damage was likely due to the cables being crushed—one possible cause being interference from trawl doors or other heavy seabed equipment. The police images shed light on what happened on the night of January 7, 2022: the protective coating of the cable appeared to have been scraped off, exposing the core to environmental elements.
Image: Depiction of the Svalbard fiber cable damage.
Police prosecutor Ronny Jørgensen confirmed that the police's technical report also identified “pinching damage” as a potential cause. Heavy trawling activities in that area correlated with the time frame of the damage further highlight the possibilities of such mechanical disturbances. Notably, Russian trawlers have been previously reported to cross the Svalbard cable over 140 times, and more than a dozen of these incidents occurred before the actual damage in January 2022. Though the shipowners denied involvement, drone footage revealed deep tracks on the seabed which could have been made by a trawler door.
Vulnerability of Seabed Cables
Subsea fiber cables like the Svalbard cable, which is as thin as a pinkie finger, are incredibly vulnerable despite their critical importance. These cables face numerous threats, from natural forces like earthquakes to deliberate human disturbances. The incident reveals a critical need for secure submarine infrastructure, especially in remote regions like the Arctic.
Comparison with Other Incidents
Since the January 2022 Svalbard cable incident, there have been other notable cable damages worldwide. For instance, on October 8, 2023, both a communication cable and a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia were damaged, with investigations pointing to human activities, particularly anchors, as the cause. Similarly, evidence linked the vessel NewNew Polar Bear, owned by a Chinese company, to the cable breakages between Estonia and Finland, Sweden, St. Petersburg, and Kaliningrad.
Repair and Precautions
Jens Olav Frorud from Space Norway, the company maintaining the Svalbard connection, discussed the meticulous repair efforts conducted last June. The repairs were extensive, involving a 40-hour operation to locate the damage and the coordinated efforts of a fifty-person team working in shifts. Space Norway has since joined ASN to ensure rapid access to cable repair ships and necessary equipment for any future incidents.
Edworking is the best and smartest decision for SMEs and startups to be more productive. Edworking is a FREE superapp of productivity that includes all you need for work powered by AI in the same superapp, connecting Task Management, Docs, Chat, Videocall, and File Management. Save money today by not paying for Slack, Trello, Dropbox, Zoom, and Notion.
Summary in Key Points
Remember these 3 key ideas for your startup:
The Critical Importance of Infrastructure: Just as the integrity of the Svalbard cable is essential for Norwegian space infrastructure, your startup's digital and physical infrastructure is crucial for seamless operations. Regularly assess and update it to mitigate the risk of unexpected failures.
Be Prepared for Emergencies: Space Norway's collaborative effort and rapid response to repair the damaged cable underscore the importance of having an effective **emergency plan**. Always have contingency plans and collaborations in place to handle unforeseen setbacks efficiently.
Leverage Technology for Security: Given the vulnerabilities illustrated by the Svalbard fiber incident, employ robust technological solutions to secure your startup's infrastructure. Regular monitoring and utilizing advanced technologies can prevent and swiftly address issues that threaten essential operations.
For more details, see the original source.
