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Japan’s Early Warning System One of the Best in the World | Special English | Learning English/*
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RSS FeedJapan’s Early Warning System One of the Best in the World??18 March 2011
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESSA man searches for a family member in the ruins of a tsunami-hit area in Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan Share ThisDiggYahoo! BuzzFacebookdel.icio.usStumbleUponRelated ArticlesWorkers Continue Efforts to Prevent a Nuclear Disaster in JapanJapan's Disaster Could Hurt Plans for Nuclear Energy IndustryNuclear Crisis in Japan Raises Worries About Radiation RisksQuake, Tsunami May Only Add to Economic Struggles for Japan For Japan Farmers, Radiation Fears Mean Economic PainChildren at US School Show Their Support for Victims in Japan Related LinksLatest updates from VOA NewsTO DOWNLOAD the MP3 of this story, click on the MP3 link in the upper right corner of the page. Double-click any word to find the definition in the Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary
This is the VOA Special English Technology Report.
A powerful earthquake struck the northeastern coast of Japan at two forty-six p.m. local time on March eleventh. Japan’s Meteorological Agency released its first tsunami warnings just three minutes later. The country has one of the best earthquake early warning systems in the world.
There are more than four thousand Seismic Intensity Meters in place throughout Japan to measure earthquake activity. These meters provide information within two minutes of an earthquake happening. Information about the strength and the center of the earthquake can be learned within three minutes.
There are also concrete sea walls around much of the Japanese coastline. But these measures proved no match for the powerful earthquake and tsunami.
Costas Synolakis is a tsunami expert with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
COSTAS SYNOLAKIS: "Japan is one of those most well-prepared countries on earth in terms of tsunami warning. They had a warning. I think what went wrong is that they had not anticipated the size of this event.”
He says there are two reasons for this. Japan has not had any event anywhere near as big as this one in the last one hundred fifty years. And scientists had not expected such a large earthquake happening off the coast of Japan.
The nine point zero magnitude earthquake was the fourth most powerful earthquake ever recorded worldwide. It was also the worst earthquake ever to hit Japan. The tsunami waves that followed were reported to have reached as high as thirteen meters in some areas.
Costas Synolakis says Japan’s concrete sea walls were not built to handle such high waves.
COSTAS SYNOLAKIS: "The concrete seawalls in many places in Japan are about 10 meters, that's about 33 feet. In Sendai, they were about three meters, that's about 10 feet. So that shows you that at least in that area they were not expecting such a sizeable wave because they would have built a higher seawall.”
A tsunami wave can travel as fast as eight hundred kilometers per hour. To get to higher ground people would often have to travel for many kilometers. This can take more time than a fast traveling tsunami will permit. This is especially true in cases like Japan, where the center of the earthquake struck so close to the coastline. The tsunami waves followed almost immediately.
Experts say early warning systems will continue to be limited by these facts until earthquakes and tsunamis can be predicted
And that's the VOA Special English Technology Report, written by June Simms. You can find more news about the disaster in Japan at our website, voaspecialenglish.com. You can also find transcripts, MP3s and podcasts of our reports. And you can find us on Facebook and YouTube at VOA Learning English. I'm Steve Ember.
Listen? Email? Print? Comments?Comments (96)20-03-2011Mehmet Eken(Turkey)thank you ! world's all people for helping japanese people
20-03-2011J.u.l.i.a.n.a(Brazil)It is impressive what happened in Japan... The disaster wasn't expected for anybody but I believe that japoneses are strong to support themselves and full off all. All must think how the nature is behavioring nowadays... Take care!I am praying for japoneses! God bless you, dears!
20-03-2011Alicia(USA)Thanks VOA for letting us know what is happening around the world! Don't forget to pray for Japan.
21-03-2011Lee Wook Jin(Korea.)I found that something worng sentance."The concrete seawalls in many places in Japan are about 10 meters, that's about 33 feet. In Sendai, they were about three meters, that's about 10 feet. So that shows you that at least in that area they were not expecting such a sizeable wave because they would (not) have built a higher seawall"i think that this sentance is misstyped. contextually....
21-03-2011Men always thinking n made planning, but God is the universal, n un thikingable...
21-03-2011Phan Vu(Viet Nam)Bravoo Japanese. I pray for all people, who die in Japan.
21-03-2011Hope everything will be fine.
21-03-2011Khanh Nguyen(Vietnam)There can be losses & damages, but the Japanese Spirit is always there, Japan is a great country, and its people are so respectable. I pray for all the best for japan. Just stop fighting in Lybia and help Japan in stead, the money spent on making bombs, weapons can save thousands of lives rather than kill thousands of others.
21-03-2011WinsorThanks you, on this report on Japan devestated earthquake and Tsunami, However, many lives lost, and many families are in tears of their love one died on the earthquake.
21-03-2011Q.Trang(Vietnam)pray for Japan!i believe in Japanese!
21-03-2011Nick Wei(China)The earthquake happened at 14:46 in March 11th in Japan. Tsunami caused unprecedently huge demolishment in Japan. These two are such bad disasters. Now i am here to lament people who died from these two catastrophes.
21-03-2011Nick(Wei)Despite Janpanese has four thousand Seismis Intensity Meters through whole country, it still cannot move people who are close to the epicenter of earthquake in advance. Natural catastrophes cannot be predicted accurately, but sometime we can choose to believe our God Jesus. Because he will show us right direction, he can free us from any troubles. Let's pray to the God to let him know we are desire to get help from him. Amen!
21-03-2011C(Vietnam)Japan's earthquake warning systerm are working the most efectively. So, the last happened disaster was at least with the high consciousness of japaneses. in the trend of globalization, countries are trying to help together to confont difficult times. the best way is that create the modern systerms which will help alarm the risks of natural mother.
21-03-2011Nishi(Japan)TV said that the almost of all victims died for suffocation. I cannot imagine how much painful. What is the best thing that I can do?
21-03-2011Dang Cong Huan(Viet Nam)Machine Systems is very modern, they detect disaster and generate warning quickly but human is not faster and stronger than nature. Strength of nature is no limited, we can only live within it and prevent it.
21-03-2011masa(japan)We pray for northeastern of japan.
21-03-2011thang(Viet Nam)With you Japan!
21-03-2011Yuichi(Japan)I live in Tokyo,and the damage is relatively slighter in Tokyo than the north-east Japan. To Khannh in Vietnam,thank you so much for respect us Japanese. I feel great love from all over the world. We will definitely overcome this historical disaster!!!
21-03-2011Yuyu Wahyudi(Indonesia)Indonesia lies in a long coast perhaps this happen will rise in this country. Indonesia administration should adapted this technology of early warning system and put in. Because to prevent victim fall down so many if this happen will be rise. Even that every thing need some money. But for safety have to go !!! Reflect from Japan, please !!!!
21-03-2011(japan)I’ｍ impressed the world supports on my haert. Thank you very much.
21-03-2011Le Hanh(Vietnam)please, pray for Japanese. Wish for brighter future!!
21-03-2011Kousuke(Japan)It is common sense that when an earthquake happens, we turn on TV and get imformation about it.Immediatly,essential imformation is reported on TV.The size of tunami will be included. But most cases,It is too late to get out of the tunami.
21-03-2011Joruji(Japan)I've read that some waves reached ten kilometers inland in Miyagi Prefecture, and I feel helpless against powerful earthquake and tsunami, because the tsunami waves that might follow almost immediately the earthquake can reach several kilometers inland, and it seems that there is no way to protect people living in coastal areas from them.
21-03-2011dao le van(viet name)pray for japaneses
21-03-2011khanhhung(VietNam)EU and the US are spending nearly $300 million each week on forming a no-fly zone in Lybia. They say that such a effort will protect Lybia's citizens, but I say they are trying to get oil from that country. Why don't they spend effort and money to help Japan??? Let's pray for Japan, God bless all of Japaneses. with all respect, I hope Japanese will overcome this disaster very soon!
21-03-2011aike(Japan)The tsunami wave that hit nuclear plant in Fukushima was 14 meters high, which was not anticipated by Tokyo Electric Company and government. This unpredicted tsunami destroyed the cooling system of the nuclear plant and caused the following serious crisis.
21-03-2011Huyen Vu(Viet Nam)Japanese will be fine, i hope so
21-03-2011Hiwa(Sweden)Thank VOA and I wish the situation in Japan become better ond better.
21-03-2011A Vietnamese(Viet Nam)Everything will be over. Japan will return to the good life. I always believe the resilience Japanese. Happy to you!
21-03-2011Karno(Indonesia)what happen in Japan and tsunami in banda aceh (indonesia) in 2004 is a worst disaster that I ever see.. Pray for all people who get natural disaster.. God Bless You ...
21-03-2011Maki(Japan)I had never seen tsunami through my eyes before this real tsunami of March 11 hit Japan. For the first time, now I have realized how dreadful those waves are. I didn't expect they were as high as 13 meters. I am not sure from now on whether the Japanese government should build such a high sea wall to prevent such a wave which happens once in a million years.
21-03-2011asssom1@hotmail.com(Saudia Arabia)I'm pray for Japanese
21-03-2011uyen(united states)Thanks VOA, This is special English Technology Report. I like to read the news every day. I also pray for everyone in the word have a good health and good life in future.
22-03-2011melvin martinez(el salvador)I think that GAD is doing everything but japan don't belive in him. but Gad will take the contron in this country but they have to belive that he will be a lot of things in that country. Japan is a very very powefull country but I love Japan. Gad bless you Japan.
22-03-2011Rika(Japan)I want to say thank you so much to all countries and people who helping and praying for Japan!!And all your words confident Japanese that we are not alone.
22-03-2011Mohammad shah Mushfiq(Afghanistan)with a strong regret i will say that, the japan earth quick was a big disaster around the world. we had heard a lot but never seen this kind of huge storm and tsunami through my eyes before of the event of japan. what can we do? it is the power of GOD, no one can change the future. we share our feeling with them and hope that they will make their country again more beautiful than it was before, God bless them.
22-03-2011Lam Tung(Vietnam)Japan' s goverment and scientists have set up a good early warning system for citizens. That showed it's useful and effective in latest earthquake and Tsunami in early March. we should learn them in order to reduce lost of life.
22-03-2011TAN(VN)I pray for JP, but I believe that JP always become more strong after each nature crisis.
22-03-2011K.R.A.(Russia)hello)) We are crying((
22-03-2011THAO((VN))WE MUST HELP JAPAN
22-03-2011Kk(Thailand)I pray for Japan and I hope your country will be recovered soon.
22-03-2011do nguyet(vietnamese)tsunami and earthquake struck Japan. hopefully, everything will be over, I believe that Japanese can turn to the good life, i sure they can do, i pray for all Japanese. Wish the brighter future will come to Japanese. You are not alone.People all over the world pray for you, Gold will help you,
22-03-2011Satomi(Japan)I was really impressed by the concern from worldwide.The situation is still serious, but we will unite our efforts to overcome this diseaster.
22-03-2011rossyis terrible what happening in Japan, but i prayed becuse is very hard.
22-03-2011carol(United States)I praying for all people and special for japonesses! I love !!!
22-03-2011NINA(MOROCCO)it was soo sad to hear and see what happened in japan .god will held this country they are strong people
22-03-2011Thuy An(Viet Nam)We must try to help Japanese!
22-03-2011am(Japan)tsunami is horrible.This time damage of quake is not so serious, because japan prepared for big earth quake. But troubles are very big tsunami and the accident of nuclear power plants....That's not good
22-03-2011Haydar(Turkiye)We sincerely commiserate to Japan people. Greetings!!
22-03-2011mustafa(Turkey)I hope and wish Japan will get better soon. I love Japan.
22-03-2011Luis F. Ria?o(Colombia)Many thanks to VOA for description the Japan′s crisis.We need to Japan by many ways as prayer and send our voices to reinforcement the Japan spirit.
22-03-2011safneto(brazil)Amazing how natural disasters such as Earthquakes and large tsunamis are devastating, but it is possible to survive such disasters better than those promoted by humanity.....
23-03-2011WinsorThanks you, Japan will recovered.
23-03-2011sun(china)technology can help
23-03-2011unya(thailand) 23-03-2011Halil((Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus))The Allah helps them. I am praying for all people in Japan.
23-03-2011Best wishes for the Japanese citizens!Best wishes for the Libya residents!
23-03-2011M .Niazi(Afghanistan)Japan people are brave and painstaking in the world the first give nuclear bomb use on their country but they rebuilt them country at now all disaster and destroyed they can rebuilt Japan . I wish all of built soon .
23-03-2011oath(CHINA)pray for japan , hope them better and better
23-03-2011Waq(ETH)What happen in Japan today is nething for Japan future!
23-03-2011baigalmaa(Mongolia)Japan is a piece of our land, disaster happened to us everybody. I pray for earth. Today we people need to realize need to slow our speed. When speed is fastened life will squeezed and shortened. People need to be as more quieter, more slower, more wiser than as before.
23-03-2011yxl(china)gogogo！
23-03-2011Daniel KOFFI(C?te d'Ivoire)Be strong! Hold on! It has surely been very terrible from what I saw on TV. If authories can more to prevent such disasters, let them do it.
23-03-2011Adam(Turkey)We should pray and help gather both for the Japanese.
23-03-2011zhangguoping(china)japan is near our country ,this earthquake brings great damage to japan .i hope the japaness can get through the hardtime soon
23-03-2011Mai Trang(Viet Nam)nowadays, people are bearing the result of weather changing. The earthquake,drought and tsunamis often happen in some countries. To avoid or limit those we need to hold hands together. We should make sence that for protecting our planet . I feel sorry for Japanese about that dieases. I have high consideration about Japanese's spirits. I'll pray for Japanese. Hope everything will be fine to Japan country! We who are from the other coutries always beside you.!
23-03-2011duc manh(viet nam)viet nam will help janpan
23-03-2011Bill Duque(Colombia.)Tanks, VOA, don't forget , to pray, to Japan, God bless you.
24-03-2011Kan(United States)I pay for all of Japanese. Japan is a great country in the world and they are strong and more respectable. I lived there for 10 years. I hop for them all to return for a good life soon. The sky will clear up after rain fall. God bless them all
24-03-2011Seddari(Mongolia)Be Strong,..and trust in god
24-03-2011Dagvadorj(mongolia)pray for japan
24-03-2011Yuya(USA)Japan should keep trying to develop the warning system. It will save Japanese and people all over the world from disaster. I believe Japanese technology can do it.
24-03-2011Caroline K(Vietnam)Pray for Japanese!
24-03-2011nuriye(turkey)I hope everything will be ok. in Japan, God will help them, I pray for them, I love Japanese too much.
24-03-2011putra(indonesia)i wish for japan, wish the damage will stop..
24-03-2011jane(malaysia)am praying for Japan..... dont worry , the living God with you...
25-03-2011AVL(Vietnam)It's the will of heaven, isn't it?
25-03-2011BABAK KHORRAMDIN(IRAN)JAPANESE PEOPLE ARE VERY SMART AND ENDURING.NO DOUBT THAT THEY BUILD THEIR COUNTRY MUCH MUCH BETTER AND STRONGER THAN BEFORE. IT WAS TREMENDOUSLY ASTONISHING THAT WITH AN EARTHQUAKE WITH THIS MAGNITUDE, NO DAMAGE WERE DONE ON BUILDINGS, EXCELLENT ENGINEERING !
25-03-2011Karen Tseng(Taiwan)The formidable earthquake and the resulting tsunami, indeed, are unprecedented. People sometimes may wonder how come so many disasters have occurred these years and blame human beings' overabuse of the earth. We should really think of how to protect our environment and truly learn the lesson from these warnings. Mother nature is now fighting back!
25-03-2011Ngoc Yen(viet nam)Time can heal outside matter but hurt inside is forever. Pray for Japan everynight. +
25-03-2011WU ZAI(CHINA)CHEER UP! FOR A GOOD TOMMOROW
25-03-2011Mina(Japan)Even we are facing a lot of difficulties due to earthquake,I believe we can become as one to overcome this challenging time and situation.I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has been praying for Japan.Thank you very much!we can overcome for sure, I believe.
25-03-2011I agree the ultimatum decider is our GOD!
25-03-2011N1(Turkmenistan)It's strange that everyone suddenly begin to regret. To tell the truth I do not care what happened to Japan. Yes, you are right, people fell victim to the disastrous earthquake. But think about people, children suffer or die everyday all around the world because of hunger, torture and human right abuse. Japan case is not the last and the worst one. So there is no point in exaggerating.
25-03-2011I think the critical factor to prevent this kind of disaster is the people themselves rather than hi-tech.the hi-tech which is anti-natural principle always results in a big problem against human being.
26-03-2011Davith Pen(Cambodia)I hope Japan is achieve solve these problems soon ! I just a student in a University for first year . so may be i have some mistake .
26-03-2011Susumu(Japan)I was surprised when I heard the state-of-the-art tsunami warning system was helpless for the huge wave. After the disaster, a lot of countries are doneting for poor people in Japan. Now I'm feeling the goove that is helping each other. Thanks a million.
26-03-2011Mostafa(Egypt)Thanks for the report. It contains a lot of useful information about what happened. i hope Japan could pass this critical situation as soon as possible.
27-03-2011(indonesia)im sorry to hear that what happened in japan
27-03-2011Valmir(Brazil)Never give up, Japan!!!God is with you!!!
28-03-2011Samuth(france)I pray for japanese; God with you...
28-03-2011waheed(india)in this tragic situation all world is with japan. may god help all the victims
31-03-2011I think after the historical earthquake and tsunami, Japan drew a lot of experience to upgrade its Early System Warning to detect strong quakes near the coastline.
01-04-2011Nh? H?u(VietNam)Pray for Japanese
04-04-2011taeko(japan)Speciall thanx for all of you who pray & worry for japanese!!i think its time for all people to think over thier lifestyle. its important to appreciate many things dat supportur your life. dont waste electricity, food, & many other things. it will also be the support for japanese victims.
05-04-2011budik(indonesia)we pray a lot for japanese n you'll never walk alone .....we had experienced it many people died becouse of it...keep the earth save for human being
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