Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011

Scientist Dimitar Ouzounov discusses the newest technologies used to predict earthquakes including the use of antennas, satellites and gamma sensors. Ouzounov, Associate Professor at the Schmid College of Science & Technology, Chapman University, details his study to utilize global remote-sensing satellite data, including thermal infrared observations from NASA Terra & Aqua, GOES, POES, METEOSTAT, and space plasma parameters from DEMETER. His research has shown atmospheric and ionospheric anomalies three days prior to the Tohoku Earthquake. Taped by Panther Productions.

John Rundle, Distinguished Professor, UC Davis, discusses earthquakes, current risk management practices, forecasting, and personal risk management. Natural disasters are not happening more frequently, but their devastating effects are rising exponentially as more people inhabit high risk zones. Taped by Panther Productions.

A panel of scientists discuss how we are doing and what we are doing in terms of earthquake preparedness. The Cascadia and San Andreas faults are explained in terms of likelihood to cause tsunamis. The City of Anaheim is looked at as a model of preparedness in terms of physical as well as social infrastructure.

Geophysicist, Margaret Glasscoe, from the Solid Earth Group at JPL, tells how the E-Decider Project responded to the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake, explains the tools JPL sent to aid the Japanese government during this time and gives updates on current products in development for disaster response and decision support. Finally, Glasscoe recounts how JPL is adapting lessons learned from the earthquake in Japan and beyond to prevent such consequences from happening in a California earthquake. Taped by Panther Productions at Chapman University.

Susan E. Owen, Satellite Geodesy & Geodynamics Systems Group from JPL discusses the technologies developed for science and hazard response that are transforming disaster preparedness throughout the world. Owen discusses the use of exploiting radar and optical remote sensing, interpreting seismic observations, dynamic motion capture, and technologies available to identify future aftershock hazards and predict locations of future earthquakes. Taped by Panther Productions.

Masanobu Shinozuka, Ph.D and professor of civil and environmental engineering at University of California, Irvine, discusses the devastating aftermath that resulted from the fourth largest earthquake in the world and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011. Aside from the magnitude delivered by the earthquake and tsunami, Japan faced catastrophe as a result of Fukushima’s three power plants’ malfunctions. Shinozuka explains the power plant failure, the necessary paradigm shift in design concept needed to avoid another nuclear power plant disaster and the necessary support needed for nuclear power generation to reverse the trend of plant closures.

Chris Brown, Ph.D in Physics and ACI Fellow Award Recipient, provides insight to the direction of the nuclear industry in addition to a step-by-step overview of the loss of cooling accident (LOCA) which resulted in an explosion. Brown discusses the development of new technology and post disaster systems solutions in addition to the actions needed to move forward and recover within the industry. Taped by Panther Productions at Chapman University.