Durham Scientist Investigates 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Through Deep-Sea Drilling
A Durham scientist is participating in the JTRACK project, researching the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. The team is drilling the Japan Trench to study the fault that caused the quake, aiming to understand the unusual seismic activity that occurred. This research is crucial for improving earthquake detection and prevention methods.
A scientist from Durham University is contributing to an international research initiative aimed at examining the seabed off Japan’s east coast in order to gain insights into the catastrophic 2011 Tohoku earthquake. This earthquake was one of the most significant seismic events in contemporary history, leading to a devastating tsunami and extensive damage, particularly at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility. The research team embarked on an expedition aboard the Chikyu drilling vessel to investigate the geological causes of the earthquake.
The current project, titled Tracking Tsunamigenic Slip Across the Japan Trench (JTRACK), involves drilling through the fault line that generated the earthquake to extract valuable samples and measure subsurface properties. The research team, which includes Durham Earth Sciences researcher Rebecca Robertson, has achieved substantial progress, having drilled through the continental plate and reaching the subducting Pacific plate. Their efforts include the setup of an observatory for monitoring and the collection of deep-sea sediment samples.
Historically, scientists had believed that earthquakes in subduction zones had limited shallow fault movement. However, the Tohoku earthquake demonstrated that significant slip could occur all the way to the seafloor. By examining the fault segment that experienced this unusual behavior, the JTRACK team aims to enhance our understanding of earthquakes and refine predictive models. Among the expedition team of over sixty specialists is Rebecca Robertson, one of just three representatives from the UK, collaborating with experts from Japan, the United States, and other European countries.
The 2011 Tohoku earthquake is regarded as one of the most powerful earthquakes recorded, measuring 9.0 on the moment magnitude scale. It resulted in a deadly tsunami that severely impacted Japan’s coastline, causing extensive fatalities and displacing numerous residents. The event also triggered a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, which has had lasting implications on nuclear safety and energy policies. Investigations into the earthquake have revealed challenges in the scientific understanding of fault mechanics, particularly regarding slip behavior in subduction zones, thus prompting further research such as the JTRACK project.
In conclusion, the ongoing JTRACK project represents a significant effort to unravel the complexities of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, highlighting the unexpected fault behavior that occurred during the event. The involvement of Durham University’s Rebecca Robertson and an international research team emphasizes the collaborative nature of advancements in geoscience. As they analyze the geological samples and data collected, this research could lead to improvements in predictive models for future seismic activity in similar subduction zones.
Original Source: www.durham.ac.uk
