Following on from the March earthquake in Japan and subsequent Tsunamis, the technology required to monitor earthquakes has become prominent in the news. Earthquakes are a monumental natural hazard in many parts of the globe and it falls, nowadays, to computer technology to monitor and analyse seismic activity (or to measure the movement of the plates of the earth).
Ironically, the March 2011 earthquake hit one of the countries that is choc a bloc with electronic components distributors – Japan. It has subsequently disrupted the supply of raw materials used by those companies which flourish as part of a complex web of suppliers.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency employs the use of Strainmeters – or sensors that can check out the state of rocks surrounding a Volcano. A volcano’s magnetic properties and electrical resistance may change. These can also be monitored. Terrestrial laser scanning equipment is also currently in place to measure changes in the shape of the earth. Electronic components distributors such as “Mouser Electronics” in Japan, Omron and REIT Technology in the UK together with Hangzhou Ken Shining Optoelectronic Technology Company are just four of many companies that may be affected by the slump in demand after the earthquake.
Space technology is used to observe and measure tectonic motion of the Earth’s surface. The Southern California Integrated GPS Network is a network of GPS receivers around Los Angeles. Their cutting edge equipment is supplied by top electronic components distributors from all over the globe. That’s just one of so many areas that are striving to measure the earth’s crust deformation and changes, so that events during March 1011 in Japan will never happen again.