Researchers at the Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (USMH) have collaborated with a Taiwanese team on the development of a 3D sensor for monitoring active faults in Taiwan. The sensor has attracted the attention of the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC), which sees potential in its application as a safety measure.
USMH’s world class sensor enables accurate measurement of seismic movement in three directions with a measurement range of several meters. It can also transmit and analyze data almost instantly. In cooperation with Brno University of Technology, the instrument has been installed near Kaohsiung City to monitor the relationship between small displacements of faults and the effects of climate. Planned upcoming research includes the use of AI to predict the movement of faults before and after earthquakes or heavy rain.
The THSRC has expressed interest in using the sensor to understand how the slow displacement of faults underneath certain sections of the high speed rail may threaten railway operations. Data collected by the sensor can provide insight into these dynamics and help experts decide whether countermeasures are necessary to ensure the safety of the High Speed Rail system.
The USMH is a leading institution in the study of natural disasters such as landslides and earthquakes, which occur frequently in Taiwan. The two countries have launched a college student exchange program together to cultivate future members of their bilateral research team.