Open AccessEarthquake Early Warning Starts Nationwide in Japan
Author(s) -
Hoshiba Mitsuyuki,
Kamigaichi Osamu,
Saito Makoto,
Tsukada Shin'ya,
Hamada Nobuo
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2008eo080001
Subject(s) - doors , hypocenter , earthquake warning system , earthquake casualty estimation , epicenter , notice , seismology , relocation , agency (philosophy) , population , earthquake scenario , warning system , forensic engineering , induced seismicity , geology , telecommunications , engineering , computer science , seismic hazard , political science , structural engineering , law , programming language , philosophy , demography , epistemology , sociology
When an earthquake occurs, a certain amount of time elapses before destructive seismic energy hits nearby population centers. Though this time is measured on the order of seconds, depending on the proximity of the rupture to a given city or town, a new public safety program in Japan is taking advantage of the fact that seismic energy travels slower than electronic communication. In this program, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) rapidly determines the hypocenter (earthquake epicenter and focal depth) and magnitude of the earthquake by using real‐time data from stations near the hypocenter. The distribution of strong ground shaking is anticipated quickly, and then the information is delivered immediately to government officials, representatives from various industries, members of the news media, and individuals before strong ground shaking reaches them. For example, on receiving the warning, the control room of a railway company can send an emergency notice to all train drivers to stop their trains immediately, elevators in buildings can be triggered to stop at the nearest floor and open their doors automatically, and surgeons can temporarily suspend their surgical operations to avoid risk to patients on operating tables.