Research Results
Study on Application of Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Reduction Technologies to Development Countries and Information Sharing about Them (2015.4–2018.3)
We conducted researches for applying the advanced technologies for earthquake and tsunami disaster reduction to developing countries. The results were reflected in the lecture contents of the training program by the International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (IISEE) and utilized for the individual study of trainees, of which achievements will be disseminated in their countries. Also, we shared the research results with the website of the IISEE and so on.
Integrated Research on Great Earthquakes and Disaster Mitigation in Nepal Himalaya (2016.4–2021.3)
The research is conducted under the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) program, focusing on a future great earthquake expected in Nepal Himalayas. The aim of the project is to provide seismic hazard information and establish the basis of earthquake disaster mitigation in Nepal, based on the results of comprehensive research topics in cooperation between Japanese and Nepali research institutes. The project is dived into five research groups and two IISEE research staffs belong to Group 3 (Seismic Hazard Assessment). The IISEE staff members installed a continuous observation station for microtremor and aftershock observations in the first year as a protest survey. Now the group conducts various microtremor surveys (large-size arrays, miniture-size arrays) and multichannel analysis of surface waves, to investigate subsurface seismic structure in the Kathmandu basin together with IISEE ex-participants.
Investigation of Ground-motion to Damage Relationship in the Kathmandu Valley from Aftershock and Microtremor Observations (2015.9)
The research is conducted as part of the J-RAPID program, which was established just after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, Nepal (Mw7.8). The objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between natural periods of ground and building damage during the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. The observation team including one IISEE research staff visited Nepal in the middle of September 2015 and conducted single-point microtremor observations as well damage survey in the Kathmandu valley (city center including mainshock observation sites and historical areas) and surrounding damaged areas (e.g Sankhu, Chautara, Bahrabise, and Dunche).
Study on Evaluation Methods of Long-period Seismic-wave Propagation in a Sedimentary Basin(2013.4–2016.3)
The objective of this research is to investigate applied conditions of seismic interferometry technique with continuous ambient noise data, for validation of existing seismic velocity structure models. The results show quantitative indexes of appropriate observation period and frequency range for the analysis. The accuracy of the existing velocity model is also investigated by comparing the observed and simulated group-velocities of surface waves and its full-waveforms.
Study on Improvement of Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Reduction Technology in Developing Countries and Enhancement of the IISEE Training Program(2012.4–2015.3)
We conducted 1) investigations to evaluate earthquake and tsunami hazards in developing countries and improve earthquake and tsunami information, and 2) investigations to improve earthquake-resistant technology for buildings in developing countries, and 3) improvement and enhancement of the training program of the International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (IISEE) by utilizing results of the research. We also maintained and upgraded the IISEE website using the results of our research and the information on the IISEE training.
Study on Improvement and Dissemination of Seismic Countermeasure Technology in Developing Countries(2009.4–2012.3)
The purpose of this research is to contribute to earthquake countermeasures in developing countries which have suffered serious earthquake damage. By strengthening cooperation with developing countries, research and development activities related to earthquake countermeasure technology based on conditions in developing countries and improvement and dissemination of earthquake resistant construction method have been done. Research results were conveyed to developing countries through the information network on the Web site (IISEE net) as well as reflected in the training of the International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, Building Research Institute.
Study on Strong Motion Observation for Buildings and Its Diffusion (2006.4–2009.3)
Building Research Institute (BRI) has been conducting strong motion observation for buildings since 1957. Currently, 74 stations are in operation in the BRI network. In 2007, a 37-story building in Tokyo was instrumented to investigate characteristics of long-period ground motion and response of high-rise buildings. The database system of the strong motion records is available at
Development of International Network of Technical Cooperation for Earthquake Disaster Mitigation of Buildings and Urban Areas in Developing Countries (2006.4–2009.3)
This study made the effort to create a network of international technical cooperation for earthquake disaster mitigation of buildings and urban areas in developing countries by utilizing web-based communication tools such as earthquake disaster database, damage estimation system, archive of electric lecture notes, e-learning system, video conference system and others.
IISEE’s CMTs, Aftershock Distributions, Fault planes, and Rupture processes for recent large earthquakes in the world (2005.4–2008.3)
We determined centroid moment tensors, aftershock distributions, fault planes, and rupture models for large earthquakes that occurred since 1994 on the globe. We made a catalog consisting of the above earthquake information and information issued by other organizations. We developed a database of this catalog, and the software by which the catalog is searched. In addition, we develop software to perform strong ground motion simulation for seismic bedrock using a stochastic Green’s function method.
Survey Methods for Earthquake Disaster Related with Buildings and Houses
This research theme is a part of the national research project "Development of Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Mitigation Technologies and Their Integration for the Asia Pacific Region (EqTAP)."
The followings have been conducted in this research by means of knowing and systematizing the actual situation of the methods and examples of earthquake disaster surveys and studies. These are: Ordering required input data, means and purposes of survey and study; Making clear things that shall be done in research stage before earthquake and in emergency stage after earthquake; Sharing results and information with participating countries.
"Guideline for Damage Survey Methods of Earthquake Disaster Related with Buildings and Houses" has been issued as a part of results from this project.
Information Network on Earthquake Disaster Mitigation Technologies
Earthquakes cause severe disasters almost every year around the world. The recent earthquakes in Kobe in 1995, Turkey and Taiwan in 1999, and India in 2001 resulted in significant loss of human lives, buildings, and infrastructures. Technical countermeasures for earthquake disaster mitigation are therefore required in all earthquake-vulnerable countries.
The IISEE (International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering) has initiated a research project entitled "Information Network on Earthquake Disaster Mitigation Technologies." This project is expected to contribute to disaster mitigation efforts in earthquake-vulnerable countries by accumulating and disseminating valuable technical information.
Interim results of the project are available on the Web page.