Scientists agree that predicting(预测) when and where an earthquake will occur and how big it will be is not yet possible. Therefore, much research has focused on coming up with ways to reduce the damage from earthquakes, rather than trying to predict when they will occur. Specifically, finding more information about the place under the surface helps developers and others make safer choices when constructing a building. This is whereNavakanesh M Batmanathan is putting his efforts.
Batmanathan is an earthquake geologist at the National University of Malaysia. He is actively engaged in mapping the areas surrounding earthquakes in Borneo. Faults(断层) are places in the Earth's crust(地壳) that are weak to sudden movement between masses of rock,resulting in occasional earthquakes. Batmanathan is working to map the faults, as well as the infrastructure(基础设施) in the area of the faults, to hopefully reduce the potential damage that can be caused by an earthquake. Developers and engineers can use this knowledge to plan where it is safest to build and where earthquake-resistant structures are needed.
Batmanathan is using a variety of tools to map faults. Working on the ground to map the area is just one of the methods he employs. He also uses images from satellites and ground-penetrating radar(GPR). GPR is a technology that creates an underground image without digging. It has many applications, from finding the water level to understand soil and rock types for construction projects. Batmanathan and others are using this technology to map faults, and the areas around faults, to gain a clearer picture of potential earthquake damage.
It might not ever be possible to know exactly when or where an earthquake will happen,but Batmanathan hopes that his work will help educate people and better prepare them for earthquakes.
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