Earthquake Monitoring at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan
Ensuring Safety on Reclaimed Land via Advanced Seismic Technology
Project Overview Yumeshima, the man-made island venue for Expo 2025, is a reclaimed site with unique geological characteristics. It was highly susceptible to shaking specific to soft soil and the effects of long-period ground shaking.
A critical challenge was the potential discrepancy between the seismic intensity reported by the national Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) and the actual tremors occurring on-site. To ensure rapid and accurate emergency response, it was essential to measure precisely how much the venue was shaking at any given moment in real-time at specific locations.
As an official Supporting Partner, we collaborated with Icom Inc. (specialists in satellite communications) to implement an Earthquake Monitoring System featuring our advanced S-QUBE seismometers at key strategic points across the venue.
Key Challenges in Implementation
Countermeasures for Reclaimed Land Vibration
With inconsistent ground conditions at Yumeshima, capturing the risks of liquefaction and long-period ground shaking required more than a standard seismometer. We needed a high-performance sensor capable of covering ultra-low frequency vibrations.
Complete Outdoor Installation in Extreme Heat
Units were installed in fully exposed outdoor locations, such as amplifier board foundations and landscaped areas. The system required extreme durability to operate stably over long periods while exposed to Japan’s humid summers, heatwaves, and typhoons.
Securing Communication Infrastructure during Emergencies
Large-scale earthquakes risk severing terrestrial mobile and internet networks. For an isolated artificial island, a reliable data transmission method independent of terrestrial infrastructure was indispensable.
Why S-QUBE was Chosen (The Deciding Factors)
Optimised for Long-Period Ground Shaking
The S-QUBE was designed from the development stage to address long-period ground shaking. This made it the most effective tool for accurately capturing actual tremors in Yumeshima’s unique geological environment.
Note: The sensor’s performance has been verified by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), demonstrating low-frequency characteristics down to 0.02 Hz, exceeding ISO recommendation values.
Heat and Water Resistance Backed by 50 Years of Expertise
In addition to its IP67-rated waterproof and dustproof performance, the unit features a custom-designed enclosure with superior ventilation and heat dissipation, ensuring protection against extreme heat and torrential rain.
Enhanced BCP via Satellite Communication
By utilising the Iridium satellite network, we ensured a robust communication route that remains unaffected by terrestrial disaster conditions, significantly strengthening Business Continuity Planning (BCP).
Outcomes and Proven Results
Centralised Monitoring by the Crisis Management Department
Seismic data from three key zones (West, GW, and South-East) was aggregated into our “GalnetCloud” system via satellite. The Crisis Management Department of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition monitored this data 24/7. By comparing wide-area EEW reports with the “actual local measurements” from S-QUBE, they maintained a reliable basis for precise initial response decisions.
Validation through Field Testing
While no major earthquake occurred during the event, the system operated without a single interruption throughout the extreme summer heat and heavy rainfall. This successfully proved the S-QUBE’s robustness and waterproofing in a demanding, real-world field environment.
Product Featured
S-QUBE (SW-9033)
EXPO2025 Adoption! Seismograph of the Future
ーIP67・Shock resistant・ Long-period seismic motion resistantー
Overturns the conventional wisdom of seismometers.
All of the earthquake monitoring functions are incorporated in a palm-sized sensor.
Linking to the cloud enables remote monitoring of earthquake damage.
Ideal Applications:
Manufacturing Plants, Gas Tanks, Power Stations, Reservoirs, Sluice Gates, Airports, Bridges, Hospitals, Schools, Municipal Offices, Oil Tanks, High-rise Buildings, and Skyscrapers.