New technology being tested in Japan could help reduce the impact of natural disasters. An early warning system called the earthquake early warning (EEW) system was put in place in Japan to provide alerts to people before an earthquake strikes.
The system works by detecting the initial tremors of an earthquake, which can travel faster than the more destructive waves that follow. With this early detection, warnings can be sent out to people in affected areas to give them a few precious seconds to prepare before the shaking begins.
In a recent test, the system successfully sent out alerts to mobile phones, TVs, and even bullet trains. This allowed people to take cover, stop trains, and shut down factories before the shaking reached them.
The EEW system was first introduced in Japan in 2007 and has since helped save lives and reduce damage from earthquakes. Its success has led other countries, like the United States and Mexico, to consider implementing similar systems.
By using technology to provide advance warning of earthquakes, communities can better prepare and respond to these natural disasters, ultimately saving lives and reducing the impact on infrastructure.
Vocabulary List:
- Tremors /ˈtrɛm.ərz/ (noun): Small or slight shaking movements often due to seismic activity.
- Destructive /dɪˈstrʌk.tɪv/ (adjective): Causing great and irreparable damage.
- Infrastructure /ˈɪn.frəˌstrʌk.tʃər/ (noun): The basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society.
- Alerts /əˈlɜːts/ (noun): Notifications or warnings about a potential danger or problem.
- Implementing /ˈɪmplɪˌmɛntɪŋ/ (verb): Putting a decision plan or agreement into effect.
- Communities /kəˈmjuːnɪtiz/ (noun): Groups of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
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