The 8.8-distance earthquake on the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia triggers several tsunamis in the Pacific region on Wednesday.
Tsunami waves reached Russia, Japan, American states Hawaii and American mainland. Parts of South East Asia and South America issued a tsunami warning.
Doodle reported several injuries due to a shock. Russian officials said it was the most earthquake that the region has ever seen.
The earthquake occurred on the so -called ring of fire, a tectonic belt that includes the Pacific Ocean known for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. However, many countries in the region have once faced the loss of destruction, proving that living with an earthquake does not mean living in fear.
Their experience suggests that flexibility is not only about avoiding the next earthquake, but about construction systems that protect life before the ground.
How have they done this?
Japan: Engineering harmony with Earth
Japan is one of the most earthquake-affected countries in the world. For decades, it has changed vulnerability to flexibility, for a mixture of technology, architecture and public preparations.
A major column is an earthquake initial warning system, which is powered by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Since 2007, this system has used more than a thousand seismic sensors to detect weak p-waves (primary waves) first and sends an alerts through phone, TV, radio and loudspeakers, which gives people significant seconds before starting strong shaving.
Hence the flexibility of Japan is made in its cities. After the great Kanto earthquake of 1923, the building code was strengthened, although it took some time. A major innings came in 1981, when the new rules (Shin-Tishin) required all new constructions to meet strict seismic standards. Many essential facilities, such as hospitals and government centers, now use seismic separation systems – engineering solutions that allow structures to flow and absorb instead of energy, rather than resisting.
As Director of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (with) and Urban Risk Lab, Miho Mazerev explained this approach to CNN after the 2024 noto peninsula earthquake, it all comes back from that idea, but can oppose the Earth’s movement, you allow the building to move with it. ,
Preparation is part of everyday life in Japan. The earthquake exercise begins at an early age, the withdrawal routes are clearly marked, and doubled as dots of assembled to park and school gardens. Capital Tokyo alone has more than 240 official withdrawal sites, which are regularly updated to adapt to the development of the city.
Chile: A change for a change by experience
Along with the Pacific coast of South America, Chile sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire. This was the terrible of the 1960 Waldivia Earthquake – which was a magnitude of 9.5, which was the strongest record ever – which resumed the country’s disaster policies. Earthquake and resulting tsunami caused havoc in both local and abroad.
In response, Chile made extensive changes. Strict building regulation was required to require seismic flexibility. Thesis reforms proved their strength in 2010, when the 8.8-Criminal Mall earthquake and many modern buildings were firm.
Chile’s development increased beyond construction. Disaster management became a national effort. Institutions as Chile National Disaster Prevention and Response Services were established to align the risk reduction strategies in explorers, and Chiley strengthened its relationship with international bodies.
“We learned that there is no solution,” said that during a 2024 round table held with the United Nations (United Nations), the National Director of Senpred, Alicia Sebrian Lopez. “We need a combination of measures – from policy changes to capacity building – Tat can be compatible with the specific realities of each community.”
The municipalities thus play an important role, in which community committees identify local risks and develop action plans. Schools also exercise earthquakes regularly, embedding early preparations in daily life.
Mexico: From tragedy to awakening
Mexico has a long and painful history of earthquakes, but the country has shown flexibility. It sits on top of several tectonic plates, including cocos and north American plates, making it highly seismic.
On September 19, 1985, there was a turn when the earthquake in 8.0 magnitude destroyed Mexico City. The disaster exposed deep flaws in construction and emergency response, triggering the demand for change.
Subsequently, Mexico developed one of the world’s first public earthquake warning systems: Mexican Earthquee Alert System (SASMEX) was launched in 1991. Now, coastal sensors detect major earthquakes and provide a warning of up to a minute – enough time to trigger asylum, stop trains and emergency systems.
When another major earthquake occurred on September 19, 2017, Mexico was better prepared. Although the 7.1-Chance Earthquake caused life damage and damage, buildings and rapid response saved many lives.
Today, on September 19, the practice of earthquakes associated with schools, businesses and public institutions is remembered at the national level – the idea that flexibility demands constant readiness.
Canada: Complying space for community reaction
Cities, including Vancouver and Victoria, along with the west coast of Canada, are preparing for possible seismic disasters. Located near the Cascadia subduction zone, the area faces the danger of rare but destructive earthquakes.
The urgency has been recognized for years. In 2019, Jeff Birchol of the University of Alberta warns: “By 2050, the population of major cities in the high -risk sector is expected to double.” He emphasized that the places that gather smarter – parks, playgrounds, libraries and public classes – would be important for survival and recovery after a disaster.
In Vancouver, this thinking has already caught. The city has developed a network of “disaster support hubs”, including a community center, park and even a branch of the public library. Marked with yellow signals, these hubs are not only as shelters but also for emergency supply, medical aid and recovery coordination.
Instead of fully focusing on buildings, Vancouver’s strategy strengthens the fabric of community flexibility. If an earthquake attacks, public places will help to be ready to convert to lines will help ensure that the city can work in most cases and can recover quickly.
The article was published on 28 April 2025, and was updated on 30 July 2025.
Edited by: Anne Thomas, Davis Vanopdorp
