Physics students from the University of Leicester in the UK have explored what they say is a feasible way to harness the power of earthquakes in order to keep vital systems powered during a disaster. One of the techniques to prevent high-magnitude earthquakes from destroying buildings is to fit the structure with dampers to prevent shaking.

The students' idea is to use an electromagnetic generator to act as a damper. By using a magnet inside a coil during the shaking that occurs during an earthquake, the students suggest that the magnetic field created by the shaking could generate a current that could potentially be harnessed.

Electricity generated during an earthquake could power emergency lighting or other vital systems. Image credit: Pixabay.Electricity generated during an earthquake could power emergency lighting or other vital systems. Image credit: Pixabay.The student study initially examined how much energy could have been generated by the Kobe, Japan, earthquake of 1995, which measured 7.2 on the Richter scale. They then applied their model to San Francisco, examining the Millennium Tower, a residential high rise. The students calculated that if the foundations of the building were constructed using generator blocks, the tower, which has a surface area of 1,300m2, could generate approximately 770W in an earthquake of magnitude 7.2.

The students say that it may be possible to generate a useful amount of electricity during an earthquake that could be used to power emergency lighting or other vital systems.