The tragic earthquake that occurred in Japan on March 11, 2011, once again reminds me of the importance of being sensitive in our roles as seismologists regarding the human tragedy caused by powerful earthquakes. It is always a challenge for seismologists to find the correct balance among conveying scientific information about "interesting" earthquakes, communicating our amazement at the incredible power of natural forces in the Earth, and remembering to be sensitive about the human tragedy caused by large earthquakes. But the scientific study of earthquakes is not just fascinating, it’s also practical. Through scientific research on earthquakes we can take positive action that leads to making people safer from the devastating effects of earthquakes. We can mitigate some of the consequences of earthquakes through increasing our understanding of the causes of earthquakes, improving seismic hazard mapping, building more seismically resistant buildings, and developing better emergency management plans to help the victims when tragic earthquakes do strike.
It is important in our roles as seismologists and educators not to forget that the phenomenon we study, and find to be so fascinating, has such tragic consequences for people. But that fascination with the incredible power of earthquakes also inspires people to study them and to unravel their mysteries so that we can take positive action to minimize their tragic consequences.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I am happy to find your blog. Indeed, the earthquake in Japan is a tragedy. I often wonder what the difference is between taking the risk of living in a sesmic zone and living with other more common natural occurrences that disrupt our lives such as blizzards, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if I could ask a very specific question. My husband just got a teaching job in Oregon, right in the Pacific Northwest's fault zone. I read an article yesterday that said the tsunami in Japan apparently originated on the "Cascadia subduction zone" which is just off the coast of Oregon. (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-sci-japan-quake-science-20110313,0,5782113.story?track=rss)
I then went to Wikipedia to read about the Cascadia subduction zone and it alarmed me. It said that Portland is very likely to experience a 9 magnitude 'megathrust earthquake' in the next 50 years. It went on to say how the city has many brick structures and the region is in no way prepared to deal with such a disaster. Further research online revealed that it would be likely that a tsunami would hit the coastal waters of Oregon if there were a big shift in the Cascadia subduction zone.
Would it be crazy to consider moving to the area