Purdue Researchers Look for a New Solution to the Old Problem of the Next New Madrid Calamity

Departments join in cutting-edge research for disaster preparedness in the American Midwest


Three earthquakes that occurred in 1811 and 1812 along the New Madrid fault in southern Indiana measured about 8 on the Richter scale and were among the strongest earthquakes ever to have occurred in the continental U.S. These recent (in geological time) events indicate that a seismic event of similar magnitude will occur again in the Midwest. Because of increased population density and the proliferation of vulnerable objects, such a quake would prove disastrous; its repercussions would be felt both nationally and globally.

More frequently occurring, smaller earthquakes (~5 on the Richter scale) have become more destructive in recent years, again because of large centers of population and the vulnerability of man-made structures. Recent studies of the Russian and Siberian plains have also revealed relatively frequent (several per year), slow destructive movements that are not recorded by seismological stations. Events of this nature threaten the security of nuclear power plants and toxic waste disposals.

Disasters triggered by earthquakes are escalating worldwide, and unfortunately, existing technologies fail to contain them. Researchers in the Departments of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematics, and Civil Engineering at Purdue, however, have joined forces to work on the development of new technologies. Faculty members from the three departments are conducting research that combines the expertise of specialists in earthquake prediction techniques, the evaluation of seismic risk, and the mathematical modeling of the seismotectonic process. They are making intensive use of the modern methods of non-linear dynamics and pattern recognition applied to the solid earth sciences, that may one day lead to the discovery and development of new ways to offset the impact of earthquake-triggered disasters.


[Previous Article | Next Article]