Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Fact-Checking
Digital Marketing Monitoring System for Earthquake and Tsunami Early Warning Developed at UC San Diego
A team of researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is integrating structural monitoring into an early-warning prototype system for earthquakes and tsunamis. The project, led by Falko Kuester, a professor of structural engineering, aims to digitize the entire UCSD campus, starting with the iconic Geisel Library.
Yehuda Bock, a distinguished researcher at UCSD's Scripps Oceanography, is at the forefront of this innovative initiative. Bock's lab continuously streams seismic monitoring data in real-time, alerting him to primary P-waves indicating an earthquake has occurred and destructive S-waves are imminent. Six months ago, he equipped the Geisel Library with sensors that continuously measure ground motion from the many faults that crisscross Southern California.
In the event of a sizeable earthquake, the team will retake the digital measurements to assess any damage to the building. The digital information will provide researchers and emergency responders with more detailed information on how structures respond during earthquakes.
To create a digital surrogate or 'cyber-twin' of the UCSD campus, the team will combine drone and lidar imagery with a precise 3-D reference from Bock's GPS sensors. Eric Lo, a researcher from UCSD, has already generated a 360-degree rotating view of the Geisel Library from drone imagery for 3-D viewing. Falko Kuester and Lo plan to turn this drone imagery into a virtual reality experience for exploration.
The project also aims to detect damage to buildings during earthquakes and other extreme events. Kuester emphasizes the importance of documenting modern buildings before they deteriorate or suffer damage from extreme events. This digital record of building conditions provides a baseline for comparison and actionable data in the event of a natural hazard.
Kuester's research applications extend beyond earthquake detection and structural monitoring. He is currently leading research teams developing drone technology for crisis management and response. His work includes studying and helping preserve ancient Mayan structures, Neanderthal caves, shipwrecks, and coral reefs.
Bock and Kuester hope the project will attract more interest and funding to seismically monitor and digitally archive all buildings on the UCSD campus. By understanding how buildings respond to external influences, they aim to contribute to better societal preparation for extreme events in the future. The late-July project involved a drone survey led by CHEI researcher Eric Lo and a ground survey by professional land surveyor Richard Maher using lidar.
While the search results do not provide information about the researchers involved in the funding of the project, it is clear that this innovative initiative is set to revolutionize earthquake and tsunami early warning systems, as well as structural monitoring and preservation efforts.
