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Earthquake Early Warning System Pioneered in Japan

Posted by Hemos on from the using-what's-available dept.

Tomo Hiratsuka writes "After recent destructive earthquakes around the world, Japanese scientists have come up with an earthquake early-warning system that uses sensors and various technologies, including iPv6, to provide up to a minute's warning, which could make a lot of difference, especially in the event of a tsunami. Bizarrely, one of the warning methods even involves networked photocopiers, believe it or not."

2 of 28 comments (clear)

  1. Buzzword Bingo? by lonb · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Using Ipv6? Um, why not also mention "using electricity" and "using gravity"?!? It'd be nice if there were less buzzword usage and more focus on the critical technologies in use.

    --
    "Ain't I a stinka..." - Bugs
  2. People have short memories by Heian-794 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The idea is simple -- it takes time for a tremor to propagate from its epicenter, but a sensor near the epicenter can transmit data virtually instantly. This short period can be enough for people to stop their cars, get under desks, etc., etc.

    The article mentions how interest in this kind of thing has waned since the 1995 Kobe earthquake. I'd add that the average Japanese person knew little about the internet and its capabilities of delivering information at light-speed in 1995. (The average person then didn't even have a cell phone!)

    With people's memories so short, look for interest in thsi technology explode after the next big earthquake. Hopefully that won't be the one that kills thousands and destroys people's homes.