Physics World July 27, 2018
In a study, a team of researchers in the US (University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Oregon) has identified the approach of the flooded internet, caused by worldwide sea level rise. Within 15 years sea water could be lapping over buried fibre-optic cables in New York, Seattle, Miami and other US coastal cities, according to the study. They looked only at the challenges for the US. They calculated that by 2033 an estimated 4000 miles of buried fibre-optic conduit will be under water. More than 1100 traffic hubs – internet exchange points that handle massive quantities of information at colossal speeds – will be surrounded by water. Many of the conduits at risk are already at or near sea level, and only a very slight further rise could bring extra risk, especially at those places where the submarine cables come ashore… read more.
The risk is high where submarine cables are brought ashore. Courtesy: by Sergio77, via Wikimedia Commons