Preparing for earthquakes and tsunami

Earthquakes often give certain weak signals before the actual major earthquake occurs. Likewise, some time is required for the tsunami to arrive to the coast of the disaster area. Electronic equipment can register an imminent danger since an electric signal travels 100,000 times faster than an earthquake wave, and a tsunami wave proceeds even slower than that. Fast reactions are required. Even a small anticipation is often sufficient for saving human lives. The required time depends on the conditions: something between 10 seconds and 10 minutes may be enough, and each second is important!

Today we have technology available that can save many people. However, unfortunately there is not enough time to save all.

1. Detecting a risk of accident
a) Constructing sensor networks in danger areas, such as in the Mediterranean environment and particularly near the sea middle depths. Sensors will then transmit an alarm via satellites to a command center where the personnel are constantly monitoring computers ready to activate alarms by one push of a button. Some push-buttons are ready programmed. The person monitoring will then push a button that corresponds to the current condition. A particular button gives a warning to various areas in the language of this particular area.

b) Some people are using sensors themselves: certain laptop computers, such as Mac and future Windows computers, are provided with a vibration detector. Laptops can detect even very small vibrations with the purpose of protecting the hard disk. The vibration source can be an earthquake(*), too, and importantly, the anticipating vibrations. These same laptops often have a direct on-line connection to the Internet. Thousands of laptops can provide a warning almost at the same time, and when these messages are sent to the command center, the event can be analyzed instantly. The center and the extension of the earthquake can be determined based on small delays, laptop position information, and intensity differences. The command center gets a very realistic view of the event within a short moment. Laptops can be equipped with a fast software tool which analyzes the vibration instantly to avoid, for example, that a passing truck causes an alarm. An individual laptop cannot, of course, cause a major alarm.

2. Informing about a danger of accident

a) The command center should have a direct access to radio and television broadcasts - all channels - at all times to inform about an imminent danger both in text form and soon thereafter also verbally, simultaneously with the alarm sirens.

b) Connections to mobile phones should be made so that an SMS message is delivered, controlled by the operators, in a correct language to all mobile phones at the same time. The mobile phone gives a short and understandable direction. The message could be: "Earthquake, go out immediately", "Tsunami, go up immediately", "Earthquake, move to door opening". The commands could be even military-like. A short command could be followed by a longer explanation of the condition after a few minutes. It is important that the mobile phone can alarm during the night time as well.

It is obvious that a warning can be sometimes exaggerated as in some areas earthquakes occur every day. Unnecessary warnings should be cut down but they cannot probably be completely removed. This is troublesome, but need be tolerated. Even virus messages can come. Moreover, clear anticipating vibrations do not always occur. An extensive overview of the condition acquired by the command center reduces erroneous alarms.

According as erroneous alarms are removed, the confidence of the public increases. Information can also be sent to the command center from other type of sensors; for example, sensors that detect sudden unaccountable changes in the groundwater and piezo-electrical changes in the bedrock, or changes in the pressure and terrain shape. The moon phase must be considered: full moon, new moon… Even the animal behavior attracts attention, such as snakes coming up to the earth’s surface. This information as such does not cause an alarm, but can increase the readiness state, the “finger sensitivity”. The well-trained geologist officer at the command center must be forgiven for errors.

The area controlled by the command center forms a natural entity, such as the Mediterranean Sea with its environment.

Buildings cannot be saved. They must be constructed to endure earthquakes and tsunamis.

To function, the system requires a great amount of legislation and co-operation across national borders and language groups.

Refer to Tietokone 6/2008, page 13 (MIT Technology Review (*))

Tapani Hakonen, Äänekoski, Finland EU
Back to INDEX