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In the cave
Using light to predict earthquakes!

The earthquakes which struck Nepal this year were a cruel reminder that earthquakes remain unpredictable even though their mechanisms have been identified and fault lines have been located. To understand more about earthquakes, researchers at Lyon's Institute of Light and Matter (ILM) developed an original laboratory experiment based on light to model and study them.

Laboratory reproduction of the evolution of a tectonic fault which causes earthquakes. Credits: © Institute of Light and Matter (ILM) -Osvanny Ramos, Sebastien Lherminier

The technique used is still in its early stages but its goal is to accurately anticipate earthquakes which follow the model and eventually make it possible to control them. The equipment developed by the research team is as follows: a white light is emitted at the centre of a cylinder containing two plexiglass sheets with plastic discs between them which symbolize the granular texture of fault lines. Weights are attached to the cylinder and these are associated with a rotation mechanism to simulate the forces to which fault lines are subjected in reality. Fault lines can be up to a thousand kilometres long and they are thus transposed to the laboratory context making it possible to study them in detail. The material's specific feature enables researchers to study the distribution and interaction of forces within the fault line in the hope that one day it will be possible to forecast earthquakes and save lives.

Thanks to Osvanny Ramos and Sébastien Lherminier for their contribution.

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