Earthquake prediction sensor installed in Sikkim Central University

GANGTOK: An earthquake detecting sensor has been installed at the Khangchendzonga management block of Sikkim Central University on Tuesday, December 7. The indigenously built detector has been developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The seismic detector is in its pilot stage and has been set up under an experimental project undertaken by BARC. 

52 of such detectors have been inaugurated across the country so far. Avinash Khare, Vice-Chancellor, Sikkim Central University, stated that the sensor will be beneficial in evaluating the concentration of random gas in soil or groundwater which could help in estimating an imminent earthquake. 

Khare elaborated that all north-eastern states fall under the seismic zone i.e. an area where earthquakes are frequent. With advancements in technology and science, enhanced research in the field of earthquake prediction can help in estimating the source and terror for reducing the destruction to a minimum. 

The earthquake detector works with ambient air. This helps in avoiding the need of refilling the detector’s ionization chamber with ambient air. The installed detector is also known to have higher efficiency. The device will function even in 70 per cent humidity, a much higher count than the single-wire detector which starts to falter after 30 per cent. 

CB Chettri, Deputy Registrar stated that such a sensor is being installed for the first time. It operates using solar energy with data transferring abilities. The data automatically gets transferred to Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai.