Although Deadly, Earthquakes Turn Out to Have Benefits | space

SPACE — It may come as a surprise to hear that earthquakes can be useful. Yes, earthquakes can actually tell us a lot about the interior of the Earth, including where the various geological layers are located.

When seismometers around the world detect seismic waves, they record their speed. This can tell scientists a lot about the composition, temperature and pressure of the material through which the waves travel.

The location and magnitude of the earthquake can also provide an overview of the Earth’s tectonic processes at work. According to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, increased tectonic knowledge is helping scientists improve their calculations of the likelihood of seismic events along certain faults.

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Earthquake intensity

About 20,000 earthquakes occur every year, which is equivalent to about 55 every day according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Fortunately, most of these earthquakes are not felt at all and are too weak to cause any damage.

Scientists estimate that there are around 16 major earthquakes (categorized as magnitude 7 and above) per year. According to the USGS, in the last 40 to 50 years, we have exceeded this figure by about 12 times, and in 2010 alone, there were 23 major earthquakes.

This number is in accordance with the current ability to predict earthquakes, because these seismic events are almost impossible to predict and completely preventable. Instead of investing time and energy in futile countermeasures, humanity has learned that preparedness and the right infrastructure are key. As the famous saying goes “earthquakes don’t kill people, buildings do.”

Many earthquake-prone areas have adopted strict building codes to help ensure their resistance to earthquakes. There are many examples of building improvements, from rubber shock absorbers in the foundations to help dampen vibrations to special steel frames designed to sway without affecting the structural integrity of the building.

Remarkably, huge skyscrapers can also be built to withstand appreciable ground shocks. Some are built containing a large stabilizing ball known as a damper which basically acts as a giant pendulum. This ball moves back and forth to counter any movement of the building itself.

These dampers help stabilize the building during high winds, or seismic activity. The use of silencers can be seen directly on the observation deck in the Taipei 101 building, Taiwan. Source: Space.com