Imagine you’re sipping tea in your living room. Suddenly, the ground beneath you starts to shake. In just seconds, your life changes. That’s the frightening reality of an earthquake.
But what if we could spot it before it arrives? What if we
could stop the damage? In countries such as Japan, India, and areas near
Russia, people are working hard to understand, detect, and prepare for
earthquakes.
In this blog, we will look at how people detect earthquakes.
We will examine Japan’s technology for preventing earthquakes. We will also
discuss the areas in India that are most at risk. Finally, we’ll address some
myths about Russia’s connection to earthquakes. We will incorporate real-life examples and expert insights.
How Are Earthquakes Detected?
Earthquakes are detected using seismographs, which are
instruments that record vibrations in the Earth. These vibrations, or seismic
waves, travel through the Earth's crust when tectonic plates move.
Real Example: Early Warning System in Japan
Japan has one of the
best Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) systems. On October 7, 2021, a 6.1-magnitude
earthquake struck Tokyo. Residents got a warning on their smartphones seconds
before the tremors hit. These few seconds allowed many people to seek shelter
or stop hazardous machinery.
How it works:
- The system uses thousands of sensors
across the country.
- When the P-wave (fast, harmless wave) is
detected, it immediately sends out a warning before the S-wave
(destructive wave) hits.
Such a warning, even
if it's just 5–10 seconds, can save thousands of lives.
Japan: A Global Leader in Earthquake Prevention
Japan is located on
the Pacific Ring of Fire, which makes it very likely to experience earthquakes.
However, Japan is also a world leader in how to prepare for them, prevent them,
and lessen their impact.
Earthquake-Resistant Buildings
Modern buildings in
Tokyo and Osaka use base isolation technology. This allows the building to
"float" above its foundation with rubber or sliding pads. It helps
absorb shock instead of collapsing.
Real Example: Tokyo Skytree
The tallest tower in Japan stands at 634 meters. It features
a central pillar damping system inspired by traditional Japanese pagodas. These
pagodas have withstood earthquakes for centuries.
Regular Earthquake Drills
Every school and
office in Japan conducts regular earthquake and tsunami drills. Children learn
from a young age how to “drop, cover, and hold on.”
India’s Earthquake-Prone Zones: Are We Ready?
India has a varied
landscape and several seismic zones, particularly in the north and northeast.
Most Earthquake-Prone Zones in India:
· Zone
V (Very High Risk): Northeast states (Assam, Arunachal), parts of Jammu and
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand.
· Zone
IV (High Risk): Delhi, parts of Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra.
· Zone
III (Moderate Risk): Punjab, Rajasthan, parts of Gujarat.
Real Life Story: Bhuj Earthquake (2001)
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Bhuj, Gujarat, resulting
in the deaths of over 20,000 people. It revealed India's lack of preparedness,
including inadequate building standards and the absence of a warning system.
Since then, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) updated
building codes and encouraged earthquake-resistant construction, particularly
in northern India.
But the truth is that many old buildings and rural homes
still do not have safety measures.
Russia and Earthquake Myths: Is There a Link?
Russia typically doesn't make headlines for big earthquakes.
However, eastern Russia, especially around the Kamchatka Peninsula and Sakhalin
Island, is seismically active because it is close to the Pacific Plate.
1952 Kamchatka Earthquake
One of the strongest earthquakes, with a magnitude of 9.0,
happened here. It triggered a tsunami that even reached Hawaii.
Russia’s central and western regions are fairly stable. Many
concerns about linking Russia to recent global earthquakes are more about
geopolitics than scientific evidence.
Technology & Techniques to Prevent Earthquake Damage
While we can’t prevent earthquakes from occurring, we can
lessen their effects.
· Base
Isolation Technology: Used in countries like Japan and now being adopted in
parts of India. It helps buildings move independently from the ground motion.
·
Retrofitting
Old Buildings: Many
old structures in India are being updated with cross-bracing, steel frames, and
dampers to make them more resistant.
·
Mobile
Apps & Sensors: Japan uses apps
like Yurekuru Call to alert citizens. India has also started using NDMA apps
for disaster preparedness.
·
Smart
Infrastructure: Some countries
use AI and IoT to track vibrations and send automatic alerts. This technology
can stop elevators, gas lines, and trains during earthquakes.
Conclusion
Earthquakes will happen, but destruction doesn’t have to
follow. We can protect millions of lives by learning from countries like Japan,
using modern technology, and increasing awareness in areas prone to
earthquakes, like northern India.
It’s not about being afraid of the earth's movement; it’s
about moving wisely with it.
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