Institut et Observatoire de Géophysique d’Antananarivo(IOGA)
Madagascar
Problem Statement
Earthquakes are among the most dangerous natural disasters, resulting in significant economic and human losses, primarily due to destroyed buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure. While Madagascar mostly experiences small to moderate earthquakes, recent events such as those in Famoizankova (1991) and Betafo (2017) have caused damage near the epicenters. Therefore, the EARTHMOVING initiative aims to enhance earthquake research in Madagascar, specifically through improving earthquake preparedness and automating earthquake detection to minimize the impact of potential future earthquakes
Progress Highlights
We have developed a machine-learning-based earthquake monitoring system, which allows us to classify the nature of seismic events. This system also includes a mobile phone application that provides timely information to the community and relevant risk agencies. In addition, we have worked to understand the site effects in Madagascar. Additionally, to gain insights into the current deformation in Madagascar, we use a technique called INSAR and develop a database of the country's velocity field.
Key Findings
We have recently developed an earthquake monitoring system that can distinguish between anthropogenic and natural earthquakes. In addition, we have created a mobile application that can alert and inform citizens in case of an earthquake, and collect their experiences through comments, pictures, and videos in the aftermath. Furthermore, using the spectral decomposition approach, we have evaluated the source stress drop, site effects, and attenuation, which are vital for developing the ground motion model for Madagascar. Our research has also revealed that the surface displacement in Madagascar is influenced not only by tectonic factors but also by sedimentary dynamics such as erosion and sedimentary deposits.
Potential Impact
The new earthquake monitoring system has important implications for mining control and improving seismic hazard management. This system includes a mobile application that provides timely earthquake information to the community and risk management agency. The database of surface displacement is a crucial source of data for various multidisciplinary topics. It provides information about tectonics and highlights sediment dynamics in different regions of Madagascar.
Summary
Earthquakes continue to be contributing factors to Africa’s natural disasters causing immense economic and human losses related mostly to the destruction off infrastructure. Dr Razafindrakoto’s project aims to enhance scientific capacity in seismological research and engineering seismology in Madagascar through improved earthquake monitoring and state-of-the-art seismic hazard analysis.
Grantee Description
Dr Hoby Razafindrakoto is currently a research scientist at the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), focusing on bridging the gap between computational and engineering seismology. She has been working in various cultural environments in four countries (Madagascar, Saudi-Arabia, New Zealand, and Germany) and has authored 15 peer-reviewed publications addressing problems in seismology, seismic hazard, and seismic risk. She obtained her Ph.D. in Earth Science from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in 2015. Her doctoral research was directed toward quantifying the uncertainty in finite-source inversion using Bayesian inference.
Dr Razafindrakoto’s long-term aspiration is to build a team that has technical and scientific prowess reaching the international level standards and having the capacity to compete in public calls, contribute to scientific activities in international projects and monitor mining areas in regards to seismology.
Project: Earthquake Monitoring and hazard evaluation In Madagascar (EARTHMOVING)
The EARTHMOVING project aims to empower research in earthquake seismology and seismic engineering in Madagascar, as well as to build a foundation for advanced physics-based and rapid post-earthquake assessment from earthquakes in Madagascar and eventually in Africa. Activities within this project are framed around three key work packages: Technology Platform, Sciences & Research, and Capacity Building. In terms of technology platform, the goal is to enhance earthquake monitoring by improving state-of-the-art algorithms to detect and locate events and discriminate between natural and non-natural earthquakes (e.g., quarry blast). In the Sciences & Research topic, the aim is to capitalize on the monitoring developments and the existing data from permanent and temporary seismic stations in Madagascar to achieve a comprehensive seismic hazard analysis accounting for both natural and induced seismicity; a first step toward managing the risks effectively. Finally, for capacity building, the purpose is to strengthen professional development and ensure a long-term impact on scientific capacity, allowing scientists from Madagascar to be fully involved and contribute to international scientific projects aiming to understand the solid earth and associated risks.
