Workers laying fiber optic cable

Thousands of miles of fibre optic cables could go under water in the coastal regions of the United States if the sea level rises as a result of global warming, according to an analysis by the University of Oregon.

Environmentalist scientists have long warned that climatic changes will leave a large part of American coastal cities, particularly New York City, Seattle and Miami, knee-deep in water.

Now, computer scientists are warning that fibre optic cables could be the first victims of the rising sea level, potentially causing huge descriptions to the internet service across the United States.

According to a research paper submitted by computer scientists at the university, 4,000 miles of cables could be drowned in water.

The fibre optic cables that make up the internet are designed to be water resistant, but they are not waterproof.

It is perhaps too late to replace the cables, because scientists say the damage could come within the next 15 years. Along with the cables, power stations and collocation centers could also be hit.

When the superstorm […]