A spatially distributed sensor system has an optical transmitter, an optical conduit optically coupled to the optical transmitter at an input position, and a sensing element optically coupled to the optical conduit at a position along the optical conduit spatially separated from the input position. The sensing element is structured to split off a fraction of light from the optical transmitter upon being coupled into the optical conduit and to return light to the optical conduit. The spatially distributed sensor system also has an optical receiver coupled to the optical conduit to receive at least a portion of light from the optical conduit that includes light returned to the optical conduit from the sensing element. An analysis of light received by the optical receiver provides information to determine a position of the sensing element.