Tsunamis are one of the most destructive natural disasters in the world, with the 2004 Asian tsunami killing over 200,000 people. The U.S. Geological Survey warns that large tsunamis have occurred in the U.S. and will likely occur again. Tsunamis are unpredictable and can strike with little warning, making them especially dangerous. Scientists are developing a new early warning system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide coastal residents with more lead time ahead of a potentially deadly tsunami. The system combines acoustic technology with AI to quickly classify earthquakes and determine the risk of a tsunami.
This early warning system could give coastal residents more time to prepare and evacuate before a tsunami hits, potentially saving lives. The study was published in the journal Physics of Fluids and is the first of its kind to use AI to detect and classify earthquakes. The system is still in development, but it could be a major breakthrough in tsunami detection and warning. To protect against the risk of tsunamis, it is important to be aware of the warning signs and to have an evacuation plan in place. It is also important to stay informed of the latest tsunami warnings and advisories issued by the National Weather Service.
Extremely devastating events
Researchers from Cardiff University have developed a new method to measure the size and scale of tsunamis before they reach land. By using sound recordings captured by underwater microphones, called hydrophones, the team was able to measure the acoustic radiation produced by 200 earthquakes in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
This method can provide fast and reliable information about the size and scale of tsunamis, allowing more time for evacuation of coastal areas before landfall. According to study co-author Usama Kadri, this research demonstrates how “tsunamis can be highly destructive events causing huge loss of life and devastating coastal areas, resulting in significant social and economic impacts as whole infrastructures are wiped out.”
What kind of tremor is this?
Underwater earthquakes can trigger tsunamis if a large amount of water is displaced, so determining the type of earthquake is critical to assessing the tsunami risk.
According to researchers, there are two types of underwater earthquakes: shallow-focus earthquakes and deep-focus earthquakes. Shallow-focus earthquakes occur near the surface of the Earth and can cause tsunamis if the magnitude is large enough.
Deep-focus earthquakes occur at depths greater than 70 kilometers and are not typically associated with tsunamis. Knowing the type of earthquake is essential for assessing the risk of a tsunami, as only shallow-focus earthquakes can cause them. Therefore, it is important to understand the differences between shallow-focus and deep-focus earthquakes in order to accurately assess the tsunami risk.
A new machine-learning model developed by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Hawaii can accurately detect the slip type of underwater earthquakes and determine whether they will produce tsunamis.
The model was trained with 200 real underwater earthquakes and is capable of classifying the slip mode as either horizontal (which does not produce tsunamis) or vertical movement (which results in tsunamis).
According to co-author Bernabe Gomez of UCLA, knowing the slip type at the early stages of the assessment can reduce false alarms and enhance the reliability of the warning systems. The model could be used to improve tsunami warning systems and help save lives.
Can this be fully trusted?
Kadri expressed that warning systems primarily depend on earthquake magnitude and location, which may lead to false alarms, resulting in conservative and unreliable systems. However, the new machine-learning model can rapidly analyze hydrophone data on a standard computer in just a few seconds.
Moreover, evacuation time may be insufficient with systems that utilize deep ocean wave buoys to measure water levels. The new system can work in tandem with current warning systems, utilizing hydrophones to determine the earthquake’s source and AI algorithms to classify its slip type and magnitude. This information is used to calculate significant properties like effective length and width, uplift speed, and duration that determine the tsunami’s size.
The new system will be used globally
According to a statement from Cardiff University, the current research on tsunami risk prediction is part of a continuous effort to improve natural hazard warning systems worldwide.
The latest advancement is now available in user-friendly software that is planned to be implemented in national tsunami warning centers later this year.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.
