Cascading effect destroys Japan.

PositionNatural Disasters - Brief article

The magnitude 8.9 earthquake off the coast of northern Japan and the tsunami it triggered demonstrate the need for an integrated approach to preparing for, mitigating, and responding to extreme events, say researchers at the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering at the University at Buffalo (N.Y.).

"It's striking just how complicated these disasters can be," says Gregory Valentine, professor of geology and director of the Center for GeoHazards. 'We tend to view the disasters from within our own research disciplines but, in fact, numerous disciplines are needed to better prepare for, mitigate, and respond to such extreme events. You can't study individual hazards in isolation."

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Gilberto Mosqueda, associate professor of civil, structural, and environmental engineering, agrees, noting that numerous fires were triggered as a result of the earthquake. Such conflagrations can be caused by the rupturing of utility lines underground and in buildings. While structures have been designed to resist earthquake forces and...

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