Durham Researcher Investigates the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake from Drilling Ship
A Durham scientist, Dr. Rebecca Robertson, participates in a drilling expedition to study the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, one of history’s most devastating seismic events, to understand the unusual seismic behavior of the fault line involved.
Dr. Rebecca Robertson, a researcher from Durham University, is contributing to an international effort focused on investigating the 2011 Tohoku earthquake by drilling into the seabed near Japan’s east coast. The Tohoku earthquake, renowned as one of history’s most powerful seismic events, precipitated a catastrophic tsunami and severe infrastructural damage, including a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility. This devastating incident resulted in approximately 18,500 fatalities and the displacement of over 160,000 individuals.
Currently, the team is engaged in the Tracking Tsunamigenic Slip Across the Japan Trench (JTRACK) project, which involves drilling through a fault line at the earthquake’s origin to collect samples and assess physical properties of the geological formations. Nearly halfway through a four-month expedition aboard the deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu, the researchers have successfully penetrated the overriding continental plate and are now investigating the subducting Pacific plate. This operation aims to enhance knowledge by installing observatories and obtaining samples of both deep-sea sediment and the fault material.
The research seeks to deepen understanding of the peculiar dynamics surrounding the Tohoku earthquake. Before this event, it was assumed that while subduction zones could host significant earthquakes, breaks in the shallower parts of fault lines were rare. The Tohoku earthquake, however, displayed a remarkable example as it exhibited unprecedented fault displacement to the ocean floor. By analyzing samples from the fault section that exhibited this unusual slipping, the JTRACK team aspires to uncover the underlying mechanisms responsible for this extraordinary seismic occurrence.
Dr. Robertson is among the few UK scientists participating in a multinational team comprising experts from Japan, the United States, and Europe, totaling more than sixty members dedicated to advancing their understanding of such critical geological events.
The 2011 Tohoku earthquake is one of the most significant seismic events in modern history, causing extensive casualties and widespread destruction, particularly in Japan. This event highlighted previously misunderstood dynamics of subduction zones, where tectonic plates interact. Notably, the earthquake’s unprecedented characteristics prompted researchers to launch various investigative projects, such as the Japan Trench Fast Drilling Project (JFAST) and now the JTRACT project. These projects aim to uncover the scientific explanations behind the quake’s unique behaviors to enhance future predictive capabilities about such seismic events.
In summary, the ongoing JTRACK project, involving Durham University researcher Dr. Rebecca Robertson, seeks to unravel the complexities behind the 2011 Tohoku earthquake through targeted drilling and sampling efforts. By deepening the understanding of this seismic event, researchers aim to improve future assessments and preparedness in the face of natural disasters. The collaboration among international experts underscores the importance of shared knowledge in tackling geological challenges.
Original Source: www.durham.ac.uk
