Durham Scientist Engages in Key Research on 2011 Tohoku Earthquake
A Durham scientist is part of an international team drilling offshore Japan to investigate the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, which caused extensive damage and loss of life. The JTRACK project aims to study the fault mechanisms by collecting sediment samples and measuring physical properties in the tectonic area affected by the quake.
A researcher from Durham University is engaged with an international team aboard the Chikyu drilling vessel, investigating the seismic activity related to the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan. This earthquake, one of the most significant recorded in modern history, triggered a catastrophic tsunami, resulting in extensive loss of life and infrastructure damage, including the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The current research is part of the Tracking Tsunamigenic Slip Across the Japan Trench (JTRACK) project, which aims to collect samples and data to better understand the mechanisms behind this unusual seismic event.
The Tohoku earthquake held the grim record of claiming approximately 18,500 lives and displacing over 160,000 individuals. It was part of a complex tectonic interaction involving the subduction of the Pacific plate beneath the North American plate. Prior studies had indicated that the shallow regions of such faults rarely slipped; however, the Tohoku event revealed that significant fault movement can occur all the way to the ocean floor. The current drilling expedition follows previous research conducted through the Japan Trench Fast Drilling Project (JFAST) in 2013, which collected initial data on the earthquake’s causes.
The JTRACK team has made significant progress in their four-month expedition, having drilled through the overriding continental plate into the subducting oceanic Pacific plate. They are now sampling sediments and fault materials while also deploying observatory equipment to monitor the slip zone. This research seeks to refine the understanding of earthquake behavior in subduction zones, particularly the factors contributing to substantial movements along fault lines.
Among the expedition’s distinguished scientists is Rebecca Robertson from Durham’s Department of Earth Sciences, one of only three UK representatives in a diverse group exceeding sixty scientists from multiple countries, including Japan and the United States. The collective aim is to gather insights that could improve earthquake predictions and enhance global preparedness for seismic hazards.
The 2011 Tohoku earthquake, measuring 9.0 on the moment magnitude scale, is one of the most catastrophic seismic events in recent history. It not only caused immense destruction but also led to one of the worst nuclear disasters, affecting public policy and seismic research worldwide. Researchers have sought to understand the unique characteristics of this earthquake, particularly regarding the depth and nature of fault movement. Prior assumptions about fault behavior in subduction zones have had to be reevaluated, prompting extensive research such as the ongoing JTRACK project to investigate the underlying mechanisms of this seismic anomaly.
In summary, the ongoing JTRACK project, involving esteemed researchers like Rebecca Robertson, seeks to unravel the complexities of the Tohoku earthquake by directly examining the geological and physical properties of the fault involved. This research has the potential to significantly advance understanding of seismic activities in subduction zones, contributing invaluable knowledge to ongoing efforts for earthquake prediction and disaster preparation. As such, the project’s outcomes could have far-reaching implications for both scientific inquiry and public safety.
Original Source: www.durham.ac.uk
