Can earthquakes be predicted from space? QuakeFinder, a Palo Alto company, is trying to find out. QuakeFinder is looking for changes in the earth’s magnetic field before and after earthquakes, using both ground-based and space-based systems.
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Photo courtesy QuakeFinder |
Working with a Stanford University class, QuakeFinder built “QuakeSat,” a satellite about the size of a loaf of bread. One of its unique features is that it uses commercial components that have not been “space qualified.” For example, QuakeSat’s main computer is the same model that is used in vending machines. Someday, earthquake forecasts will be a routine part of the daily news, like hurricane, tornado, and flood warnings.
Research conducted by the California company ImageCat, Inc. analyzes how remote sensing could aid in recovery efforts after major earthquakes. Researchers hope to use such imagery in future events to provide “real time” assessments that will help guide rescue teams.
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| Click on thumbnail (above) to view full-sized image. Photo courtesy DigitalGlobe. |
At left are examples of building damage in Boumerdes, Algeria, that were taken by DigitalGlobe’s Quickbird satellite before and after an earthquake in May, 2003.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is working with researchers to study the seismic vulnerability of California highways. Caltrans has placed the first earthquake monitoring devices on its highways that may someday serve as an advance warning system in earthquake prediction.
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