Japan built earthquake early warning system

Japan, one of the countries most affected by the earthquake, plans to launch an earthquake warning system next year. The purpose is to gather early information about earthquake movement and give warnings about more dangerous shocks.

The destruction of the Kobe earthquake in 1995

A pilot system has been in operation in Miyagi Prefecture since February 2005. It warned of a major earthquake, affecting Sendai. The warning was given 15 seconds before a magnitude 7.2 earthquake shook the area on August 16.

An official of the Japan Meteorological Agency said sensitive seismic sensors would be installed at 203 sites nationwide. This work was completed in March 2006 before the system started. According to them, although the period from the warning until the earthquake was very short, but warned people to turn off the gas stove or get down under the table. Railway companies can also stop trains.

The sensors detect very small earthquakes, analyzing and predicting whether further earthquakes will occur and whether or not earthquakes are strong. Finally, they automatically issue a warning. Initially, the system would only alert certain agencies, such as railway companies and gas providers. However, the meteorological department hopes to eventually alert all civilians.

An official from the Bureau of Meteorology said there was still a degree of error in the predicted strength of the earthquake. This issue needs to be addressed in the future.

Earthquakes are common in Japan, which accounts for about 20% of all earthquakes with magnitude 6 or more in the world. In October 2004, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck in Niigata, northern Japan, killing 40 people and injuring more than 3,000. It was the worst earthquake since the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that killed more than 6,400 people in Kobe in 1995.

Minh Son ( According to Reuters, Japan Times )