Tsunami

Self-deploying sea barriers offer coastal towns some protection from the destructive forces of tsunamis – but one problem can arise when power goes out in a disaster scenario. Hence this Japanese proposal for a wall that generates its own power.

With the aid of arms control technology and artificial intelligence, a team of scientists at Cardiff University's School of Mathematics has developed a method that uses underwater microphones to provide early warnings of potentially deadly tsunamis.

Scientists have uncovered a new way tsunamis might be better predicted ahead of time, showing how the magnetic fields they generate can be detected before the massive, devastating waves make it to shore.

Around 66 million years ago, a gigantic asteroid smashed into the Earth and ended the reign of the dinosaurs. Now, researchers have discovered direct evidence of this cataclysm – fossilized “megaripples” from the tsunamis that immediately followed.

As part of a project that could greatly speed up the detection of tsunamis, Caltech and Google researchers have developed a method that turns operating submarine communication cables into earthquake detectors without using special equipment.

Teams tasked with managing tsunami risks may soon have a powerful new tool at their disposal, in the form of a new AI model that enables near real-time predictions of how these events will shape the flooding of coastal areas.

Known as tsunami mitigation parks, hilly stretches of coastline covered in plant-life can stem the flow of a giant crashing wave, and a new study suggests they can help preserve key industries like fishing and tourism at the same time.

​When tsunami-triggering events such as underwater earthquakes occur, sound waves known as acoustic gravity waves (AGWs) are sent out through the water. Now, scientists from Cardiff University have developed a method of analyzing those waves, to predict how destructive the tsunami will be.

Dr Usama Kadri of Cardiff University’s School of Mathematics believes that it may one day be possible to use acoustic-gravity waves against tsunamis to mitigate or even halt their effects.​

How the Weber Deep in Indonesia got to be a near bottomless pit is one of nature's mysteries. Thanks to a chance discovery of the world's biggest exposed fault plane, we finally know the answer.

A new MIT study has examined the possibility of acoustic-gravity waves – high-speed sound waves often generated by underwater earthquakes and landslides – acting as an early warning of tsunamis and rogue waves.

Survival Capsules LCC of Mukilteo, Washington has developed a steel and aluminum sphere designed to ride out a tsunami and protect against both fire and flood. Gizmag paid a visit to the company to learn more about it.