Japan has (and had) an Earthquake Early Warning System, composed of many seismometers, which are situated all over Japan. When two or more seismometers detect the first wave of an earthquake, they then estimate where the epicentre is, and how strong the full earthquake will be. If it is estimated to be over a certain level, an alert is put out. This alert is broadcast using many different kinds of media, including mobile phones and television.
Although this alert is put out just seconds before the main earthquake, it allows people to get out of dangerous situations (for example, warning a factory allows workers to stop machinery before the earthquake hits).
The earthquake in 2011 was the first time that the EEW was set off.
In order to detect the resulting tsunami, a string of detection buoys in the Pacific Ocean were used. This sent warnings to many different countries that would be affected by the tsunami.
Were any building techniques or materials been used in this area to limit damage?
In Japan, there are very strict building codes in order to make buildings “earthquake proof” (in reality, even the most well designed building could be damaged in a very strong earthquake). Buildings are designed with deep foundations and large shock absorbers, which allow the building to move and flex independently of the ground.
Many modern Japanese buildings have designs based off traditional pagodas and temples. These buildings were very flexible because they were made of timber, which is not as rigid as other materials, such as bricks. However, modern constructions are on a far larger scale, and concrete reinforced with steel is usually used instead. In some taller buildings (for example, the Tokyo Sky Tree, scheduled to be finished in late 2011), there is a tripod-like base which allows for flexibility and stability.
There are concrete seawalls that protect parts of the Japanese coastline, some of which are over twelve metres high. This helped to deflect some of the energy of the tsunami, which lessened damage to coastal regions.
Were technologies used to aid people?
Yes. Communication technologies – mostly text messaging, radio and television – were used to warn people of the main shock of the earthquake, in conjunction with the EEW System. The text messages are restricted to phones made after 2007, however, and only a few Japanese brands are supported. An application for the Apple iPhone was developed to send an EEW message, but it may be affected by congestion on the lines.
Google also set up an online “person find”, which allowed people to find loved ones who had disappeared in the disaster.
Conclusion
I think that these technologies had a significant impact on the death toll and damage caused, because stronger buildings allow people to remain unharmed within them. The EEW could prevent any extra accidents from occurring when regarding trains and other large machinery.
However, these solutions would not be practical in an LEDC, because the building regulations are usually not as strict. Even if building restrictions were stricter in LEDCs, the majority of the population would not be able to afford to build or design buildings that are as advanced as the earthquake proof buildings. The same is true for an EEW, because fewer people own mobile phones and televisions where there is less wealth, so it would not reach as wide an audience.
Some things are probably easier to achieve for an LEDC, such as seawalls, because they are relatively inexpensive. In my opinion, more money from aid should go into the prevention and minimisation of damage and death caused by disasters, as less will have to be spent on the relief effort.
