Earthquake Of January Research Articles

A Socio-Seismology Experiment in Haiti

Earthquake risk reduction approaches classically apply a top-down model where scientific information is processed to deliver risk mitigation measures and policies understandable by all, while shielding end-users from the initial, possibly complex, information. Alternative community-based models exist but are rarely applied at a large scale and rely on valuable, but non-scientific, observations and experiences of local populations. In spite of risk reduction efforts based on both approaches, changes in behaviour or policies to reduce earthquake risk are slow or even non-existent, in particular in developing countries. Here we report on the initial stage of a project that aims at testing, through a participatory seismology experiment in Haiti—a country struck by a devastating earthquake in January 2010—whether public or community involvement through the production and usage of seismic information can improve earthquake awareness and, perhaps, induce grassroots protection initiatives. This experiment is made possible by the recent launch of very low-cost, plug-and-play, Raspberry Shake seismological stations, the relative ease of access to the internet even in developing countries such as Haiti, and the familiarity of all with social networks as a way to disseminate information. Our early findings indicate that 1) the seismic data collected is of sufficient quality for real-time detection and characterization of the regional seismicity, 2) citizens are in demand of earthquake information and trust scientists, even though they appear to see earthquakes through the double lens of tectonics and magic/religion, 3) the motivation of seismic station hosts has allowed data to flow without interruption for more than a year, including through a major political crisis in the Fall of 2019 and the current COVID19 situation. At this early stage of the project, our observations indicate that citizen-seismology in a development context has potential to engage the public while collecting scientifically-relevant seismological information

Kolyvan Earthquake of January 9, 2019, with ML = 4.3 and Induced Seismicity Features of the Gorlovsky Coal Basin

The Gorlovsky coal deposit began to be intensively developed in the last decade, and, as a result, technogenic earthquakes started to occur in the area of its quarries. The Kolyvan earthquake with M = 4.3, which occurred on January 9, 2019, was the largest of them and had a tangible impact on settlements including the city of Novosibirsk. This earthquake is the strongest in the area for more than a hundred years, being second to the 1882 Berdsk earthquake. Based on the analysis of seismicity, it is shown that the seismic hazards for Novosibirsk from natural and technogenic seismicity are comparable. The only differences are that zones of natural and technogenic seismicity are spatially remote from each other and catastrophic natural earthquakes will occur less frequently than technogenic ones.

Extraction of urban building damage using spectral, height and corner information from VHR satellite images and airborne LiDAR data

Earth observation-based damage assessment has been widely studied in recent years. Considering that the height and spatial variability of buildings change significantly in earthquake-devastated areas, a novel multi-stage urban building damage extraction method that uses bi-temporal spectral, height and corner information is proposed in this study. The post-event height features were directly derived from airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data, whereas pre-event height features were generated using pre-event stereo-paired images from different satellites. The spatial features were quantified using the density of corner points (DCP) in spectral images. The proposed method of urban building damage extraction is summarised as follows. Bi-temporal height and corner features were first generated from bi-temporal very high resolution (VHR) satellite data and post-event airborne LiDAR data. Then, vegetation, bare land (pavement and soil) and shadow were extracted from post-event VHR image and height data, and masked out. Finally, building damage was extracted from the remaining areas using the height difference and DCP difference between pre- and post-event images. A post-processing procedure was used to further refine the initial extraction results. The proposed method was evaluated using bi-temporal VHR images and post-event LiDAR data collected in Port au Prince, Haiti, which was heavily hit by an earthquake in January 2010. The results showed that the proposed method significantly outperformed the two comparative methods in the extraction of urban building damage.

ACCELERATION RESPONSE SPECTRUM AND EFFECTIVE DURATION OF LEBAK EARTHQUAKE JANUARY 23, 2018 IN JAKARTA REGION

Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia with a very high population density low to the upper distribution of buildings which causes many areas of Jakarta to have a high vulnerability to natural disasters, one of which is an earthquake. One of the earthquakes felt this year was Lebak Banten Earthquake January 23, 2018, with a magnitude 6.1 at 13.34 local time. The depth of the earthquake was 61 Km at -7.09o S - 106.03o E, in the South Indian Ocean of Java Island. The epicenter was 43 km from Cilangkahan Village, Malingping Sub-district, Lebak District, Banten. We analyze the ground motion characteristics in the Jakarta area using 3 component acceleration data at Jakarta City Hall Office (JAKO) and Tanjung Priok Maritime Station (JATA) with dynamic statistical analysis method. The effective duration and earthquake response spectrum are determined using the acceleration data. In this study, the active period of the earthquake was calculated using the Trifunac and Brady method. The results of the analysis show that the most significant acceleration spectrum at JAKO station is found in component E of 0.07742 g in the period of 0.54 s while for the most significant acceleration spectrum JATA station found in component N of 0.04572 g in the period of 0.58 s. The effective duration obtained at JAKO stations was 56.76 s and JATA station 63.47 s. These results indicate that in the case of the Lebak earthquake, the further region from the epicenter of the earthquake has an effective duration which is relatively longer.

The Haiti Cholera Outbreak and Peacekeeping Paradoxes

In 2010, two Complex Humanitarian Emergencies (CHEs) befell Haiti: a devastating earthquake in January and in October, a cholera outbreak that continues to this day. This essay focuses on the latter and examines the paradoxical role of the United Nations Mission for the Stabilization of Haiti (MINUSTAH—now United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti—MINUJUSTH) in this tragedy, particularly, in a chain of events that call into question its peacekeeping mission.According to Barry Pakes, a Complex Humanitarian Emergency (CHE) is a “type of disaster event that is caused by and results in a complicated set of social, medical and often political circumstances, usually leading to great human suffering and death and requiring external assistance and aid.” CHEs are associated with a variety of factors, such as war, poverty, overpopulation, human-caused environmental destruction and change, and natural disasters. The United Nations (UN) considers a CHE to be a crisis involving multiple causes and requiring a broad and integrated response with long-term political and peacekeeping efforts.” The 2010 cholera outbreak in Haiti could be considered a CHE, according to this definition.

Site effects evaluation in Catania (Italy) by means 0f 1-D numerical analysis

A probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) determines the probability rate of exceeding of various levels of ground motion in a specified period of time, in a given area. On the other hand, the neo-deterministic seismic hazard assessment (NDSHA) is based on modeling techniques, developed from physical knowledge of the seismic source process and of the propagation of seismic waves, which can realistically simulate the ground motion due to an earthquake by means of synthetic seismograms. The NDSHA confirms that peak ground acceleration values are larger than those given by the PSHA in areas where large earthquakes are observed and in areas identified as prone to large earthquakes, such as in the case of the city of Catania (Italy). The city of Catania, located on the eastern part of Sicily, is one of the most seismically active areas of Italy. The Val di Noto earthquake of January 11, 1693 is considered one of the biggest earthquakes which occurred in Italy. Site response analyses have been developed for a group of 3 test sites in the city of Catania (Italy). On the sites are localised some strategic buildings to upgrade against seismic risk. The analysis of seismic ground response at the sites was conducted using a numerical method, which is developed in three main phases: the definition of the geometric, geological and geotechnical model of the subsurface, the definition of the seismic input (synthetic or recorded), the choice of one or more computer codes to use and process the results. The reconstruction of the geological and geotechnical model of the subsurface has highlighted a morphology quite irregular especially with regard to the covers. One-dimensional local site response analyses have been performed assuming that all geologic boundaries are horizontal and the response of soil deposits is predominantly caused by waves propagating vertically from the underlying bedrock. Equivalent linear analysis using EERA code has been performed in this study. One of the targets of the paper is the development of measures for the seismic retrofitting of buildings.Seismic retrofitting and/or improving have to be definitely considered a multidisciplinary subject, which depends in fact on many factors, such as: local site effects and the dynamic interaction between the foundation soil and the structure. The accurate investigation on the structure and the surrounding soil is the first fundamental step for a realistic evaluation of the structure seismic performance.

Do earthquakes trigger mud volcanoes? A case study from the southern margin of the Junggar Basin, NW China

Mud volcanoes are significant indicators of neotectonic activity and have important research significance. Mud volcanoes can not only be used as an important index for the long‐term evaluation of oil and gas fields but are also an important symbol for locating gas hydrates in the seabed. Additionally, the eruption of mud volcanoes will affect drilling, pipe laying, and other projects, and the eruption of large amounts of methane gas can also cause greenhouse effects and climate change. The trigger mechanisms of mud volcanoes have always been a focus of debate among geologists. In recent years, many scholars have argued that mud volcanoes are triggered by earthquake activity. However, the stress and strain caused by earthquakes and their control mechanisms on the eruption of mud volcanoes still require further study. This paper is based on the calculated results of static stresses caused by the M5.5 Wusu earthquake of May 2, 1995, the M5.4 Shawan earthquake of January 9, 1996, the M5.3 Shihezi earthquake of February 14, 2003, and the M6.3 Xinyuan–Hejing earthquake of June 30, 2012, on the Horgos, Dushanzi, Aiqigou, and Baiyanggou mud volcanoes distributed in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin, NW China. The calculated static stresses, the earthquake response characteristics of these four groups of mud volcanoes, and the continuous observational data of the Horgos mud volcanoes showed that static stresses from these earthquakes did not reach the triggering threshold, though the mud volcanoes exhibited a good relationship with earthquakes. We speculate that static stress may not be the main triggering mechanism for the mud volcanoes and that the mechanisms of earthquake triggering may be divided into two types: (a) For a mud volcano in a critical state before an earthquake, dynamic stress changes may trigger eruption of the mud volcano by increasing permeability and mobilizing magma; (b) for mud volcanoes that have not yet reached the critical eruption state before an earthquake, both static and dynamic stresses play roles in their activities.

Estimation of ground motion in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico during the 1920 (M~6.4) crustal earthquake, and some significant intraslab earthquakes of the last century

Ground motions in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, during the earthquake of January 4, 1920 (M~6.4), and three significant intraslab earthquakes (Mw7.0) of the last century were estimated. These events are reasonable scenario earthquakes for Xalapa. Towards this goal, portable broadband seismographs at nine sites in the city and an additional one at a reference hard site outside the city were deployed. Peak ground acceleration (Amax) and peak ground velocity (Amax) in Xalapa were estimated based on Brune w -2 source model and the site effect, obtained from earthquake recordings by using the standard spectral ratio (SSR) technique, and the application of a stochastic method. During the 1920 Xalapa earthquake the estimated Amax values corresponding to a stress drop, Ds, of 50 bar are between 100 and 250 cm/s2, except at two sites where the site effect is very large and Amax values reach 300 and 600 cm/s2. Estimated Vmax values are between 10 and 20 cm/s, except at the site with the largest site effect where it is ~ 40 cm/s. Ds of 30 and 100 bar produce about half and twice of these peak values, respectively. The main uncertainty in the present estimations is due the Ds value, because although a range of 30 to 100 bar for crustal earthquakes in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (in which Xalapa is located) seems reasonable, it is not constrained by the data. The mean stress drop for intraslab events, ~ 300 bar, is better constrained from previous studies. A median Amax of ~ 30 cm/s2 and a median Vmax of 4 cm/s in Xalapa during the 1973 (Orizaba) and 1999 (Tehuacán) earthquakes was estimated; the corresponding values during the 1980 (Huajuapan) earthquake are ~ 10 cm/s2 and 2 cm/s. The uncertainty in the estimation is probably within a factor of 2 to 3.The ground motion prediction equations developed from data in the forearc region with less attenuation (than the backarc region) and recorded at hard sites appear to work reasonably well for Xalapa sites, which lie in the back arc. This observation suggests that the seismic waves from intraslab earthquakes, traveling through the mantle wedge before arriving Xalapa, suffer relatively large attenuation. However, these waves get amplified due to local site effects. It seems that in Xalapa these two effects, roughly, balance each other.

Investigation on Damage Mechanism of the Daikai Station Induced by the Strong Kobe Earthquake

The Daikai station, a cut and cover structure in the subway system in Kobe, collapsed during the Hyogo ken-Nanbu earthquake of January 17, 1995 in Japan, which attracted significant attention on seismic design of underground structures world widely. Based on literature review of published researches, dynamic numerical analyses have been conducted to investigate the damage mechanism of the Daikai station subjected to the strong earthquake. The equivalent linear model has been used for the soil to approximate the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the soil including the shear modulus and the increase of damping with strain. The Concrete Damaged Plasticity model has been adopted to capture the damage evolution and progressive failure of the subway station under seismic loadings. The influence of vertical motion on the seismic response of the station is evaluated in the paper. A comparison between the numerical predictions and the damage reported shows a good agreement. The results indicate that the middle columns are the most severely damage part of the station and are mainly controlled by the horizontal ground motion. In contrast, the vertical seismic motion can generally be neglected.

International Adoption of Children Surviving the Haitian Earthquake.

To evaluate resilience and frequency of behavioral symptoms in Haitian children internationally adopted before and after the earthquake of January 12, 2010. We conducted a retrospective quantitative study in 40 Haitian children. Families were also asked to participate in a qualitative study (individual interview at 18-24 months after the earthquake) and to complete State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and STAI for children (STAI-C) questionnaires. Demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in the group who experienced the earthquake (n=22) and in the group who did not (n=18). The families of 30 adoptees were interviewed. There was no statistical difference between the two groups for the STAI (P=0.53) and STAI-C (P=0.75) or for the frequency of behavioral problems. Plenary adoption was pronounced for 84.6% and 33.3% of the children adopted in the pre- and post-earthquake group, respectively (P=0.02). Children rarely talked about the experience of the earthquake, which, by contrast, was a stressful experience for the adoptive families. Haitian children adopted after the earthquake did not express more stress or behavioral problems than those adopted before it. However, the possibility of a resurgence of mental disorders after age 10 should be borne in mind. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:450-454).

阪神・淡路大震災における心身医学的諸問題(II) : 身体的ストレス反応を中心として

阪神・淡路大震災における心身医学的諸問題(II) : 身体的ストレス反応を中心として

阪神・淡路大震災における心身医学的諸問題(I) : PTSDの諸症状と心理的ストレス反応を中心として

阪神・淡路大震災における心身医学的諸問題(I) : PTSDの諸症状と心理的ストレス反応を中心として

Atmospheric anomalies and anomalies of electricity in the near-surface atmosphere before the Kamchatka earthquake of January 30, 2016, based on the data from the Paratunka Observatory

The 15-min data of vertical ionosphere sounding and 10-min data from measurements of the vertical component (Ez) of the near-surface quasistatic atmospheric electrical field and the respective values of electrical conductance of near-surface air at the Paratunka complex geophysical observatory in the period from January 28 to January 30, 2016 have been analyzed to reveal the possible anomalies preceding the M = 7.2 earthquake that occurred on January 30, 2016, at 0325 UT. The distance between the observatory and epicenter was 117 km. These anomalies have been revealed, and the majority of them, in our opinion, may be related to the processes of earthquake preparation.

Understanding Donor Behaviour: Actors and Processes in Disaster-Relief Decision-Making

Two of the largest natural disasters that hit in 2010 were the January earthquake in Haiti and the flooding in Pakistan which followed seven months later. Unlike Canada’s disaster-relief intervention to the earthquake, the response to the Pakistan floods has been argued to be comparatively minimal relative to the extent of damage sustained. Through a series of interviews with bureaucrats affecting Canada’s disaster-relief responses in both 2010 disasters, this paper asks, who (and what) really determines the scope and magnitude of international disaster-relief interventions? Through the development and application of a multi-level conceptual framework, donor behaviour is said to be affected by each of macro-institutional, meso-contextual and micro-foundational factors. The findings highlight the determinative role of political actors in shaping humanitarian assistance decisions.

Peculiarities of subsoil gas dynamics before the М 7.2 Zhupanovo earthquake of January 30, 2016, Kamchatka

It has been discovered that, before the M 7.2 Zhupanovo earthquake of January 30, 2016 with a focal depth of 177 km, there was a negative five-day precursory anomaly of ten days in predicting time in the field of subsoil radon by observations in the network of the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky geodynamic test area. This anomaly with duration of 5 days and prediction time оf about 10 days is explained by the appearance of a so-called “geodeformation wave.”

Post-disaster long-term recovery and reconstruction. Haiti after the earthquake in january 2010

All over the world, natural hazards associated to climate change effects are increasing in frequency and threatening urban development dynamics while increasing human losses and economic expenditure. The objective of this paper is to investigate how post-disaster recovery and reconstruction should be addressed when associated with a scenario of urban poverty, lack of governance and social inequalities that can affect or restrict the capacity of a low-income country like Haiti to respond to natural hazards. Keywords: Disaster. Post-disaster. Recovery. Reconstruction. Haiti.

Ikeda, H.: Mt. Rokko and the Great Hanshin Earthquake of January 17, 1995: The Photographic Records of Landform Changes and Conditions after 20 Years

Ikeda, H.: Mt. Rokko and the Great Hanshin Earthquake of January 17, 1995: The Photographic Records of Landform Changes and Conditions after 20 Years

Clinique de la créativité chez les enfants des rues en Haïti

IntroductionThis study focuses on the creativity of street children in Haiti four years after the earthquake of January 2010. Following a finding of potential resilient in these children, it assesses their ability to mobilize internal and external resources to create. MethodThe study focused on 33 street children aged 10 to 18 years, met around a painting mediation group. These children were supervised by 6 professional painters, a social worker and a psychologist intern, all Haitians, in a reception center for street children in Port-au-Prince. Three focus groups and clinical interviews complemented the clinical material. ResultsThe study shows a strong investment in this painting mediation group by the street children. In a joyful atmosphere, they have shown a great solidarity and a great capacity to create. They found in them, in the space of the street and in the Center some available resources to enable them to hope and look to the future. DiscussionThe group atmosphere, graphics and pictorial productions have enabled the updating of traumatic elements while allowing those street children to print, develop their updated experiences and send the form of work shared. They showed their survival strategies in extreme violence and used the group as shoring. This group has permitted the narcissistic revaluation of children. However, despite their creative potential, these children are still very marked by the sustained abuse.

Seismic microzoning from synthetic ground motion earthquake scenarios parameters: The case study of the city of Catania (Italy)

The city of Catania (Italy) in the South-Eastern Sicily has been affected in past times by several destroying earthquakes with high values of estimated magnitude. The seismogenic area to the south of Volcano Etna, known as Iblean Area, is placed between the African and the Euro-Asiatic plates on the west of the Ibleo-Maltese escarpment, to the south of the Graben of the Sicilian channel and on the east of the overlapping front of Gela. Basing on the seismic history of Catania, the following earthquake scenarios have been considered: the “Val di Noto” earthquake of January 11, 1693 (with intensity X-XI on MCS scale, magnitude MW=7.41 and epicentral distance of about 13km); the “Etna” earthquake of February 20, 1818 (with intensity IX on MCS scale, magnitude MW=6.23 and epicentral distance of about 10km). The soil response analysis at the surface, in terms of time history and response spectra, has been obtained by 1-D equivalent linear models for about 1200 borings location available in the data-bank of the central area of Catania of about 50km2, using deterministic design scenario earthquakes as input at the conventional bedrock.Seismic microzoning maps of the city of Catania have been obtained in terms of different peak ground acceleration at the surface and in terms of amplification ratios for given values of frequency.

Tsunami-generated magnetic fields may constrain focal mechanisms of earthquakes.

A geomagnetic observatory named SFEMS is being operated on the deep seafloor in the northwest Pacific since August, 2001. SFEMS is capable of measuring both scalar and vector geomagnetic fields as well as the seafloor instrument’s precise attitudes, which makes it a powerful tool in detecting the so-called oceanic dynamo effect. It was found that SFEMS captured clear magnetic signals generated by the giant tsunamis of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake even for an epicentral distance of larger than 1500 km. Here we report estimates of the focal mechanism of a closer tsunamigenic earthquake in January, 2007 on the seaward slope of the Kuril Trench using tsunami-generated variations in the observed downward magnetic component. Three-dimensional solutions of the tsunami-generated magnetic components were calculated by a new numerical code based on non-uniform thin-sheet approximation and particle motions of seawater using the linear Boussinesq approximation. As a result, a southeast dipping fault alone reproduced the dispersive nature of the downward magnetic component, while any northwest dipping faults could not. This implies that the tsunami-generated electromagnetic fields are useful for determination of focal mechanisms of tsunamigenic earthquakes, since fault dips are one of the most difficult source parameters to estimate even in modern seismology.