Super-dense real-time disaster mitigation system

In order to achieve a more sophisticated real-time system of disaster mitigation, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., commenced preparation of what will be the world's most extensive ultra-high-density real-time seismic motion monitoring and disaster mitigation system in January 1998. Known as "SUPREME," the system employs the New SI (spectrum intensity) sensor and a district regulator remote surveillance system installed at about 3,600 locations in its supply area, which measures about 3,100 square kilometers. The New SI sensors utilize ultra-small acceleration pickups made with micromachining technology as well as central processing units (CPUs) and random access memory (RAM) units, and constitute a new kind of seismometer that is both high-performance and low-cost. They are capable of measuring SI and ground acceleration, recording six earthquake wave-form acceleration trends on three (XYZ) axes, detecting liquefaction based on knowledge of the changes in acceleration waves, and control of regulators by means of settings for SI or acceleration. Tokyo Gas intends to harness the system for high-precision estimates of damage and detection of liquefaction in real time; and for investigation of seismic shaking amplication at various points based on wave-forms for small and medium earthquakes.