Japan, one of the countries most affected by earthquakes, plans to deploy an earthquake warning system next year. The goal is to gather early information about earthquake movements and issue warnings about more dangerous tremors.
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The devastation caused by the earthquake in Kobe in 1995 |
A testing system has been operational in Miyagi Prefecture since February 2005. It successfully issued a warning about a major earthquake affecting the city of Sendai. The alert was provided 15 seconds before a strong earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale shook the area on August 16.
An official from the Japan Meteorological Agency stated that extremely sensitive seismic sensors will be installed at 203 locations nationwide. This work is expected to be completed by March 2006, prior to the system becoming operational. According to them, although the time frame from the warning to the occurrence of the earthquake is very short, the alerts allow people to turn off gas stoves or take cover under tables. Railway companies can also immediately stop trains.
The sensors detect minute seismic waves, analyze, and predict whether more dangerous tremors are likely to follow, as well as the intensity of potential earthquakes. Ultimately, they automatically issue warnings. Initially, the system will only alert certain agencies, such as railway companies and gas providers. However, the Meteorological Agency hopes to eventually extend warnings to the general public.
An official from the Meteorological Agency noted that there is still a certain margin of error in predicting the strength of earthquakes. This issue needs to be addressed in the future.
Earthquakes are common in Japan, which accounts for about 20% of all earthquakes worldwide that measure 6 or higher on the Richter scale. In October 2004, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Niigata region in northern Japan, killing 40 people and injuring over 3,000. It was the worst earthquake since the 7.3 magnitude quake that killed more than 6,400 people in Kobe in 1995.
Minh Sơn (According to Reuters, Japan Times)
