Overview: Can AI Detect Earthquakes?

Using artificial intelligence to help the work is a new trend now. It is more efficient, especially reading countless data. Nowadays, people develop AI to detect some types of disaster to minimize and manage the risk. The question is, can AI detect earthquakes since they are hard to predict?

Can AI Detect Earthquakes?

Detecting earthquakes is not simple. The researchers have to use solid data to ensure that the accuracy is high. The time of the earthquake's arrival is not easy to predict. However, with AI, they can predict the high-risk zones, potential magnitude, and potential damages in certain areas.

The AI can read multiple data points and conclude them into a pattern. While analyzing the pattern as its result, the authorities might be able to do more things such as providing accurate information, raising awareness about potential earthquakes, and improving disaster management.

The Roles of AI in Earthquake Detection

1.     Analyzing seismic data

The main task of AI that it can do the best is analyzing seismic data. However, the local authorities and related agencies should prepare a reliable system where sensitive sensors are required. Without a trusted system, it is hard to make an accurate result for further analysis.

The AI models nowadays have been improved. It can differentiate between noise and signals that earthquake sensors read. With this ability, the researchers also can get smaller magnitudes that other traditional tools might not record because of their limited abilities.

2.     Predicting aftershocks

Aftershocks are the most dangerous wave because it can destroy the whole area compared to the first wave. Major destruction can occur, so it needs accurate detection. Can AI detect earthquakes? It may help predict the potential location of the epicenter, so people can evacuate faster.

3.     Improving the quality of EWS

An early warning system is an integrated system that consists of many devices. They work together to gather data and analyze it to identify upcoming disaster or threats. After that, the system will announce the result to the masses, including the guidelines of what they should do as soon as possible.

So far, the improvement is about the speed of analyzing data and the accuracy of the result. It is important for the system to distinguish between a fake and a real one since it may cause panic. Some countries have this improvement, such as Japan and the US, to minimize the damage.

The Limitations of AI to Detect Earthquakes

1.     Data limitations

Can AI detect earthquakes with data limitations? They can read the pattern, but the result will not be accurate. The accuracy to predict earthquakes is very important because it leads to more death toll or unnecessary panic. So, it is important to ensure the data is solid.

Another problem with data limitations is how the data itself was obtained. The inconsistency is the issue, especially with the sensors which have low quality. The noise might be recorded and it leads to false positives. In the end, the fake shaking can trigger the system to work.

2.     Speed of AI

Another challenge that becomes a limitation of AI is speed. Earthquakes have limited critical situations because aftershocks may come close to the first shock. Without a fast analysis, people who depend on AI in the system might not be able to save themselves. It requires improvement in this matter. 

3.     Complex process

An earthquake is a disaster with a complex process. There are many possible factors that contribute to a single shaking. The epicenter could be from the bottom of the sea or volcanic activities. AI might not be able to detect the source of the friction fast because it can only read the pattern of previous events. 

4.     Performance

The performance of AI is another limitation. Compared to other tools such as seismographs, it works more slowly and not in real time. This performance will be an obstacle to sending warning messages to the communities that may be affected by the earthquake itself.

5.     Delay

A delay because of latency is possible. It is because the AI still needs time to read the pattern first before sending the feedback. This is the limitation that should be addressed because it will ruin the purpose of using AI to enhance the quality of EWS. 

Even though the question of can AI detect earthquakes has been answered, the system still needs a device to spread the warning messages to the communities who may be affected. An SMS broadcaster is the best choice since it works during critical situations. Purchase this device here.