Earthquake detection centres monitor and detect the natural disasters of earthquake. They do this with the use of many instruments and technologies including seismometers, the DART system and the eVigilo system. These technologies and instruments help to maintain earthquakes and prevent maximum damage being caused from seismic waves.
A seismometer, is incredibly useful to detect and measure the size and damage factor of earthquakes. A seismometer works by recording movements of the ground due to it’s inertial mass as its internal mass moves in relation to the frame of the seismometer due to ground motion. The motion is measured and detects the extent of the ground movements. The instrument produces the equivalent in volts, of the force needed to resist the movement of the internal mass. Modern variations of this instrument can also be used to detect and monitor earthquakes. The modern adaptation of seismometers, called tele-seismometers, detect a wide range of frequencies and amounts of movements so are the most accurate depictions of how the technology of seismometers work to monitor and detect earthquakes and warn earthquake detection centres to notify citizens of the affected country. These can be used with seismographs (technology that monitors earthquakes) for best possible readings.
Another useful technology that detects and mainly monitors earthquakes is the DART system. DART stands for Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting. It is typically used to detect tsunamis however it is useful for detecting submarine (undersea) earthquakes and also detect the seismic waves sent from regular earthquakes to alert. The way that the DART system works is by using buoys that detect sudden rises in sea levels, likely caused by seismic waves. The DART system is a technology that efficiently detects seismic activity because of sudden sea level changes and monitors it with wave size after the initial sudden wave.
The eVigilo system was developed in Israel and is a geolocation based system that can transmit disaster information to a diverse range of places such as radio broadcasts, phone alerts and calls, emails, television and digital roadside billboards. The system overrides the device’s software and sends the necessary information to all platforms. This is a incredibly useful tool as the information can be seen in all parts of the country by installing merely digital billboards and can be sent to all citizens in view of these devices. This system transfers data from locations in the country where seismometers and the DART system are combined in use with detection posts buried into the ground. The posts utilise the technique of seismometers to collect information about the extent of the seismic waves and combines to send all citizens of the country this information via a number of platforms.
These instruments efficiently detect and monitor earthquakes and are constantly in use around the world. Scientists are working on their designs to further develop the ideas be hid these instruments to increase the detection and monitoring of earthquakes around the world.
DEVELOPED TECHNOLOGY WHICH HELPS THE EFFECT OF EARTHQUAKES
A technology is being developed in the Imperial College Innovations Limited which will save lives due to it’s improvement of the stability of buildings, preventing structural damage during earthquakes. This groundbreaking device is called the Khonsar Connection.
When buildings fall, they can break roads, houses, cars, bridges etc and can cause problems for citizens in the country. When a regular (unequipped to handle an earthquake) building is struck by a shock wave the size of one from an earthquake, the joints can bend and cause the building to fall. This weight can then break anything it falls on including roads, cars, houses, bridges and people. The way to minimise the impact of this breakage would be to begin from the cause of the breakage; the building. The reason that the building falls is because the joints are not equipped to handle the pressure of the shock wave from the quake. Therefore we must use a specialised joint system- the Khonsar Connection.
The Khonsar Connection is a structural joint that fits into steel building frames. The joint is inserted using a technique called cross-bracing, which is crossing the braces in a cross shaped support. There is a connection in each corner of the building level and at the middle of the sides of the base. A framework of trusses connect with the Khonsar and covered with building levels. This shock absorbing joint can bend enough to absorb energy that would deform regular joints and lead to a building’s collapse. This means that when the force and shock of the earthquake is hitting a building, the absorption, the way that it uses the kinetic energy of the quake and turns it into heat energy that dissipates, from the Khonsar joint hinders the structure to bend and damage as the energy dissipates before it can cause damage. The absorption of the energy of the quake means that, as the building will continue to stand upright at a greater likelihood than if it was without this technology, that the effects and rubble of the earthquake will be less strong as well. The Khonsar Connection reduces the shock from the quake and steadies the building.
This technology will lessen the effect of the earthquake on infrastructure as it hinders the infrastructure falling and breaking other structures. The joint will also absorb and dissipate the energy from the earthquake so that there may be less shocking waves affecting the infrastructure which could break it. The joint hinders any further force of the earthquake going past it so it salvages the infrastructure found behind the joint as well. This joint aids the economy and country to recover after the quake as it salvages many buildings meaning they do not need to be rebuilt. It also lessens the amount of rubble created because there are less buildings fallen and less broken infrastructure is made. The Khonsar connection is environmentally friendly made from recyclable materials and does not effect the earth negatively.
The Khonsar Connection reduces damage on infrastructure as it prevents the buildings from falling. This is particularly important as according to Guardian newspaper, 92% of damage in earthquakes is caused by fallen buildings. As the device prevents buildings from breaking and falling due to it’s absorption of the energy shock-waves, there are no falling buildings to break bridges and homes and other infrastructure. Because there are less broken buildings there is therefore less rubble. According to the New York times, rubble is the main cause of death after an earthquake. The rubble from fallen infrastructure can also misplace and hit buildings after the quake causing them to fall. The Khonsar Connection reduces damage on infrastructure as it prevents loss of strength of the infrastructure which could lead to later breakage and it supports the infrastructure better than regular joint. The Khonsar keeps the building strong and stable and reduces the damage by absorbing the earthquakes shock wave. The Khonsar connector can be used in all structures to stabilise and protect the joints from earthquakes.