Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2022

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[J] Oral

U (Union ) » Union

[U-07] Study abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic

Sun. May 22, 2022 1:45 PM - 3:15 PM 303 (International Conference Hall, Makuhari Messe)

convener:Saeko Kita(International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, BRI), convener:Ryo Okuwaki(Mountain Science Center, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba), Chairperson:Saeko Kita(International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, BRI), Ryo Okuwaki(Mountain Science Center, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba)

2:50 PM - 3:05 PM

[U07-05] Two international interdisciplinary research projects for the mitigation of megathrust earthquake and tsunami disasters in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic

★Invited Papers

*Yoshihiro Ito1 (1.Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University)

Keywords:International project, Earthquake and tsunami disasters, Disaster mitigation

The Pacific coast of Mexico is at high risk of disasters, such as megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis, due to the subduction process in the Middle American Trench. Therefore, new approaches to manage such risks in Mexico are urgently warranted, especially after the 2011 disastrous Tohoku-Oki earthquake. In 2016 and 2019, two interdisciplinary collaborative research projects were established between Japan and Mexico with the financial support of the “SATREPS” and “aXis” Japanese government programs. These projects were designed to explore strategies to mitigate earthquake and tsunami disasters along the Pacific coastline of Mexico. Therefore, we have simulated possible earthquake/tsunami scenarios based on onshore and offshore seismological-geodetic observations. We have also developed earthquake/tsunami hazard maps and tsunami evacuation guidelines using earthquake/tsunami engineering techniques to manage potential damages caused by future megathrust earthquakes. Moreover, under the scope of citizen science, we have conducted a relevant educational program in the coastal communities. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak raised some challenges for the completion of these projects. In this presentation, I will provide an overview on the background and histories of these projects. I will also address the limitations introduced to the projects by the COVID-19 pandemic and how were they overcome. Given the high transmissibility of COVID-19, as expected, the human and physical exchange programs were significantly affected, with almost all the problems arising under the pandemic being essentially inherent to the project by nature and becoming apparent due to COVID-19-related restrictions. In other words, if the project design is solid at its beginning and if the problems are promptly managed, it can be possible to minimize the impact of limited human and physical interactions on the achievement of the project goals.