In the “The Rainiest Place on Earth” YouTube video, Derek discusses Japan’s significance in studying intense rainfall and its effects through the Large Rainfall Simulator at Tsukuba’s National Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention Research Institute (NIED). The simulator, with 550 nozzles, replicates extreme rainfall, equipping scientists to prevent natural disasters like flooding. Yakushima Island is identified as one of the wettest places on Earth, receiving up to 10 meters of rain annually. Landslides pose a substantial threat due to the complex influence of soil type, minerals, vegetation, and rainfall. The simulator is also used to study landslides, predict their occurrence, and develop preventative measures, such as anchoring slopes and draining water. Further, the video touches upon climate change leading to more frequent extreme rain events and the need for addressing the root causes.
The YouTube video titled “The Rainiest Place On Earth,” Derek explains that the world’s largest rainfall simulator is located in Tsukuba, Japan. This facility, which looks like a warehouse with many sprinklers, is significant as it keeps millions safe by studying the effects of intense rainfall. Yakushima Island in Japan is one of the wettest places on Earth, receiving up to 10 meters of rain per year. These heavy rains, while usually harmless, can lead to serious problems such as flooding if they fall in short periods. The rainfall simulator at NIED in Japan can simulate the most intense rainfall ever recorded, equipping scientists with tools to prevent and prepare for such natural disasters. The simulator contains 550 nozzles that can produce rainfall of various intensities and sizes, which affects their falling speed. The larger the raindrop, the faster it falls due to its higher weight-to-surface area ratio. Japan takes flooding seriously, as the country is prone to heavy rainfalls, and in July 2018, Typhoon Prapiroon caused flooding that led to the evacuation of over 8 million people and caused damage estimated to be nearly $10 billion. The city of Tokyo, with its one hundred rivers and nearly 40 million people, is particularly vulnerable to flooding, and the city’s underground system diverts water to prevent damage.
The YouTube video “The Rainiest Place on Earth,” researchers at the National Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention Research Institute (NIED) in Japan discuss the complex nature of landslides and the significant threat they pose to homes in the country’s mountainous regions. Landslides are not solely influenced by slope angle and rainfall levels but also by the type of soil, minerals present, and vegetation growing on the slope. A landslide in Norway in 2020, caused by quick clay, demonstrates the unpredictability and destructive potential of landslides. Despite the complexity of landslides, preventative measures, such as strong passwords, anti-malware protection, backing up data, and updating software, are essential for minimizing the damage in the realm of cybersecurity. The video also features a partnership with NordVPN, which helps protect online identity and maintains high-speed connections for accessing international content. The video moves on to showcase the World’s Largest Rainfall Simulator and discuss the efforts to study and predict landslides using various slope angles and soil types.
The YouTube video titled “The Rainiest Place On Earth,” Derek explains the causes of landslides and how water Play a role. Contrary to popular belief, water does not make soil slipperier but instead increases the water pressure in the soil’s pores, decreasing the friction between grains and ultimately leading to landslides. The video then discusses the challenges of predicting landslides and preventing them through various methods, including anchoring the slope with steel beams and mesh, decreasing the slope angle, draining water, creating catchment zones and diversion channels, and using trees as effective anchors. Additionally, the video features the use of the world’s largest rainfall simulator for testing self-driving cars and drones in rainy conditions to improve their performance in adverse weather. The video also highlights the increasing frequency of extreme rain events due to climate change and the importance of addressing the root causes of climate change, not just mitigating its negative impacts.