Why does Japan frequently experience earthquakes?

Japan, a country renowned for its rich cultural heritage and technological advancements, also faces a unique natural challenge: it is one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world. The reason behind this frequent seismic activity is deeply rooted in the country’s geographical positioning.

Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire

Japan is located atop the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone teeming with tectonic activity. This region is where four major tectonic plates – the Pacific, North American, Eurasian, and Filipino – converge. These colossal rock formations serve as the unstable foundation upon which Japan rests. The constant shifting and colliding of these plates lead to frequent earthquakes, some of which have the potential to trigger devastating tsunamis, especially if the disturbances occur underwater.

Japan’s Ingenious Adaptation

In response to this volatile environment, Japan has become a world leader in earthquake preparedness and building resilience. Homes, hospitals, schools, and other critical infrastructure in Japan are constructed to endure the tremors, adhering to strict regulations regarding design and materials. Earthquake drills are a regular practice in schools and workplaces, reflecting the nation’s commitment to preparedness. While earthquakes are inherently unpredictable, Japan’s proactive stance on disaster readiness is commendable and consistent.

The Contrast: Japan vs. Other Earthquake-Prone Regions

A stark contrast to Japan’s preparedness was observed in last year’s tragedy in Turkey, where a 7.8 magnitude earthquake led to catastrophic destruction and loss of life. In comparison, Japan’s resilience was evident during a recent 7.6 magnitude earthquake, which resulted in minimal damage. This disparity highlights the effectiveness of Japan’s disaster readiness and building standards. However, challenges like tsunamis remain, posing significant threats that require continuous vigilance and innovation.

The Role of Early Warning Systems and Structural Health Monitoring

In light of Japan’s seismic vulnerability, the importance of earthquake early warning systems cannot be overstated. These systems provide crucial seconds to minutes of advance notice, enabling people to seek safety and shut down critical operations, thereby mitigating the impact.

Similarly, structural health monitoring is vital for assessing the integrity of buildings and infrastructure. Continuous monitoring can detect potential weaknesses or damages early, allowing for timely repairs and reinforcement, which is essential in earthquake-prone regions.

QuakeLogic: A Pioneer in Earthquake Preparedness

In the realm of earthquake early warning and structural health monitoring, QuakeLogic stands out with nearly two decades of experience. QuakeLogic’s expertise in these fields is not just about technology; it’s about saving lives, protecting properties, and enhancing resilience against nature’s fury.

As Japan continues to navigate its challenging geological landscape, the lessons learned and technologies developed there are invaluable to the rest of the world. QuakeLogic remains committed to contributing to this field, providing state-of-the-art solutions for disaster readiness and structural integrity.

Connect with us for more insights on earthquake preparedness and innovative solutions. Follow our journey as we continue to support earthquake-prone regions like Japan in their quest for safety and resilience.

AGING DAMS, CLIMATE CHANGE AND EARTHQUAKES – HOW CAN MONITORING HELP TO PREVENT DISASTERS?

  • 15 Jan 2024
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Devastating climate change, including killer heat waves and severe flooding, adversely affects the infrastructures our communities rely on. Dams in particular become increasingly more vulnerable to climate change due to aging. Rapidly rising water levels and frequent floods add extra stress to dams, reservoirs and waterways, pushing them to their design limits. A failure to upgrade dams in response to deterioration in structural health may result in a catastrophic impact on the people and environment.

The most recent examples are the failed Edenville and Sanford Dams in Midland, Michigan due to rapidly rising waters after days of heavy rain. The collapsed Edenville Dam, constructed in 1924, was rated in unsatisfactory condition in 2018, while the Sanford Dam, which was built in 1925, was given a fair condition rating by the State.

In 2017, major flooding from the damaged Oroville Dam in Northern California forced the evacuation of nearly 200,000 Californians. The Oroville Dam was completed in 1968, toward the end of the golden era of dam construction. This was a wakeup call for owners of aging dams across the country, as climate change continues to add stress to these structures.

California has additional challenges due to active earthquake faults, including the Hayward and San Andreas faults, which scientists predict are due for a large earthquake. Among the dams now considered to be at risk are the Anderson Dam and the Calaveras Dam, both close to fault lines in Silicon Valley. According to the NY Times, California’s most troubled large dam is at Lake Isabella. This dam was built on the Kern River near Bakersfield by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950’s on what was thought to be an inactive fault. However, this fault has been active since then.

Another major threat to dams is scouring. Numerous aging dams have experienced severe erosion of their unlined spillways. This erosion can lead to damage and even failure of dams and consequently can threaten public safety, properties, infrastructure and the wider local environment.

There are a number of unfortunate examples of dams failing due to earthquakes, flooding or scouring where early signs of deficiencies might have been detected if a proper structural health monitoring (SHM) system had been in place.

Introducing SMARTDAM

QuakeLogic is the only company using a cloud-based, AI-powered technology platform to perform continuous, autonomous assessments using data from sensors on the dam structure.

QuakeLogic’s Sensor data Management, Assessment and Repository Technology (SMART) platform transforms a dangerous, aging dam into a SMART dam able to alert officials to critical deterioration. It also significantly reduces needed search and inspection efforts following any seismic or other impact event such as settlement, scouring, etc.

The SMART platform integrates manually and digitally read sensor recordings into a fully automated unified monitoring system. It facilitates the acquisition and analysis of critical sensor data needed by the dam operators for proper operation and maintenance, and most importantly, for the safety assessment of the dam. It routinely collects, organizes and evaluates sensor data, and sends immediate notifications with ACTION PLANS upon exceedance of programmed thresholds, generating PDF reports regularly and on-demand.

The SMART platform is a cutting-edge system that works with various types of sensors such as accelerometers, tiltmeters, potentiometers, strain gauges, thermocouples, weather stations, piezometers and seepage monitors. Comprehensive analytic information is visible in real-time on the mobile-friendly dashboard, providing proof and PEACE OF MIND that a dam is performing as expected.

In addition to our SMART platform, our proprietary earthquake early warning (EEW) alerts provide a window of opportunity for action before earthquake shaking begins at the site. It can even trigger automated actions such as opening spillways, closing roads, etc. – when every second counts.

Easy-to-understand, engineering-quality information on the real-time health of the dam together with the ACTION PLAN support operators to make informed decisions. Whether planning maintenance activities, or prioritizing critical response actions, QuakeLogic has you covered.

QuakeLogic’s monitoring system instantly detects any issue that could impact the structural integrity of the dam, allowing corrective measures to be implemented and avoiding a potential future disaster.

For details, contact us at info@quakelogic.net

DAM FAILURES IN MIDLAND, MICHIGAN – WHEN A DISASTER HITS, WILL YOU BE PREPARED?

  • 15 Jan 2024
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When disaster strikes, we are all at risk! But the unprepared ones get hit the hardest.

The Edenville Dam collapsed and the Sanford Dam was breached in Midland, Michigan on last Tuesday (May 19) after days of heavy rain. In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, residents were ordered to evacuate because of rising waters. The collapsed Edenville Dam, built-in 1924, was rated in unsatisfactory condition while the Sanford Dam, which was built in 1925, was given a fair condition rating by the state.

Are other dams safe in the US?

On average, the nation’s dams are over 50 years old. At least 1,680 dams across the U.S. are currently rated in poor or unsatisfactory condition. These all pose potential risk according to this Associated Press article. Without urgent action, aging dams may not be able to adequately handle the intense rainfall and floods of a changing climate, as happened in the case of the Michigan dams. They may fail to protect people and property in cities and towns located nearby and downstream.

Introducing SMART DAMS

QUAKELOGIC is the only company using a cloud-based, AI-powered technology platform to perform continuous, autonomous structural assessments using data from sensors on the dam structure.

Deploying the QuakeLogic’s SENSOR DATA MANAGEMENT, ASSESSMENT, AND REPOSITORY TECHNOLOGY (SMART) on dams would significantly reduce needed search and inspection efforts in future events.

The SMART integrates manually and digitally read sensor recordings into a fully-automated unified monitoring system. It facilitates the acquisition and analysis of critical sensor data needed by the dam operators for proper operations and maintenance, and most importantly for the safety assessment of the dam.

The SMART helps to collect, organize, and evaluates sensor data routinely, sends immediate notifications upon exceedance of thresholds, and generate PDF reports regularly and on-demand.

The SMART is a cutting-edge system works with various types of sensors such as accelerometers, tiltmeters, potentiometers, strain gauges, thermocouples, weather stations, piezometers and seepage monitors. Comprehensive analytic information is visible in real-time on the mobile-friendly dashboard, providing proof and peace of mind that a dam is performing as expected.

In addition to SMART, our proprietary earthquake early warning (EEW) alerts provide a window of opportunity for action before earthquake shaking begins at the site. It can also trigger automated actions such as opening spillways, closing roads, etc. when every second counts.

Easy-to-understand, engineering-quality information about the real-time health of the dam supports operators to make informed decisions. Whether planning maintenance activities, or prioritizing critical response actions, QUAKELOGIC has you covered.

“Dams are vital in all communities. As we move toward recovery from COVID-19, it’s important to support the resiliency of dams by realtime monitoring and ensure that the dam owners have the support, tools, and resources to outsmart disasters.”