JST-JICA Project on Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Mitigation in Peru
Fumio Yamazaki
Professor
Chiba University
Chiba, Japan

Shoichi Nakai
Professor
Chiba University
Chiba, Japan

Shun’ichi Koshimura
Associate Professor
Tohoku University, Sendai,
Japan koshimura@tsunami2.

yamazaki@tu.chiba-u.ac.jp

nakai@faculty.chiba-u.jp

civil.tohoku.ac.jp

Taiki Saito
Chief Research Engineer
Building Research Institute
Tsukuba, Japan

Saburoh Midorikawa
Professor
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Yokohama, Japan

Carlos Zavala
Professor
National University ofEngineering, Lima, Peru

tsaito@kenken.go.jp

smidorik@enveng.titech.ac.jp

czavala@uni.edu.pe

Zenon Aguilar
Associate Professor
National University ofEngineering, Lima, Peru

Miguel Estrada
Associate Professor
National University ofEngineering, Lima, Peru

zaguilar@zergeosystemperu.com

estrada@uni.edu.pe

SummaryThis project aims to conduct a comprehensive research towards earthquake and tsunami disastermitigation in Peru under the framework of "Science and Technology Research Partnership for
Sustainable Development (SATREPS)", sponsored by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Five main research fields are seismic motion
and geotechnical issues, tsunami, buildings, spatial information database and damage assessment,
and disaster mitigation plan. After signing on the Record of Discussion (R/D) in January 2010, theproject has started and will continue for the five-year period (until March 2015). This paper
introduces the objectives and research plan of the Peru project.
Keywords: Peru; earthquake; tsunami; disaster mitigation; international cooperation; seismic
motion; building; damage assessment.

1. Introduction
A new international research program named “Science and Technology Research Partnership for
Sustainable Development (SATREPS)” has started since 2008 under the joint sponsorship of Japan
Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The
scheme of SATREPS is shown in Fig. 1. Research proposals in the following four fields wereinvited to apply for the grant: Environment and Energy, Bioresources, Natural Disaster Prevention,
Infectious Diseases Control. A proposal submitted by the present authors, “Enhancement ofEarthquake and Tsunami Disaster Mitigation
Technology in Peru,” was selected as one of the
MEXT, JST
Collaboration
MOFA, JICA
projects in the field of natural disasterprevention in April 2009.
Technical Cooperation
Support
The project aims to conduct a comprehensive
research towards earthquake and tsunamiInternational
Joint Researchdisaster mitigation in Peru considering regional
Research Institutions
Research Institutions
characteristics, under the strong collaborationin Developing
Research
in JapanCountries
Partnershipamong researchers of Peru and Japan. The first
Chiba UCISMID/UNI
author (F. Yamazaki) is the principal
investigator (PI) of the Japanese team and the Fig.1: Scheme of JST-JICA SATREPS program
sixth author (C. Zavala) is the PI of the
Peruvian team. After the nomination of our (http://www.jst.go.jp/global/english/about.html)
1

project, the preparatory phase started to plan the detail of the joint research, considering the needsof the developing country (Peru) and the promotion of science and technology on the global issue(disaster mitigation).
The Record of Discussion (R/D) was signed on January 15, 2010 by the responsible authorities of
the two nations: JICA, Peruvian International Cooperation Agency (APCI) and National Universityof Engineering (UNI) in Lima, Peru. Then the project has formally started and will continue for the
five-year period (until March 2015). This paper describes the overall objectives and joint researchplan of the project.

2. Background and Objectives of the Peru Project
Natural disasters are one of the major concerns for people in the world. Especially for the countries
in the Asia-Pacific region, earthquakes and tsunamis are the major obstacles towards sustainable
developments. In order to reduce disaster risks, understanding of natural hazards and upgrading ofsocietal resilience are necessary. Since earthquakes and tsunamis are rare but devastating events, thedata collection in a global scale is necessary and international collaboration is essential to reduce
the losses due to these events, as highlighted in Hyogo Framework of Action [1]. In this sense,
Japan is expected to serve as a leading role in the promotion of international disaster mitigation
because of its long history to cope with natural disasters.
Peru locates in the circum-Pacific seismic belt with high seismic and tsunami risks. Figure 2 shows
the tectonic settings and the epicenters of earthquakes in Peru and the surrounding region. It is seenthat both Peru and Japan are located in a similar seismic environment, frequently hit by damaging
earthquakes and tsunamis. In this region, large plate-boundary earthquakes occurred recently in theoffshore of Atico (Mw=8.4, 23 June 2001) and in the offshore of Pisco (Mw=8.0, 15 August 2007).
A large number of buildings and infrastructures were destructed, hundreds of people were killed,
and tsunamis were also generated by these events. Thus, earthquake and tsunami disaster mitigation
draws considerable attentions in Peru.
Not just physical similarities of the two countries, Peru and Japan have a long-term relationshipsince 1873, when the official relation has started. A large number of immigrants from Japan settled
down in Peru in the early 20th century.
The relationship in the field of disaster mitigation technology also has some history. Japan-Peru
Center for Earthquake Engineering and Disaster Mitigation (CISMID) was established within
National University of Engineering (UNI)
in 1987 by the support of Government ofJapan. CISMID became the leading centerof earthquake engineering research inSouth America. CISMID has been incollaboration with many Japanese
research institutions, notably, Building
Research Institute in Tsukuba, Japan.
Importance of this joint research between
Peru and Japan can be summarized as thefour points: 1) contribution of Japanesescience and technology to disastermitigation in Peru, 2) providing research
fields to Japanese geoscience andearthquake engineering, 3) contribution tointernational tele-tsunami research forsubduction-zone earthquakes, e.g. the1960 and 2010 Chile earthquakes, and 4)
promotion of disaster mitigation andcapacity building through sharing the Fig. 2: Tectonic setting and the epicenters ofknowledge from the international joint earthquakes in Peru and the surrounding region
research.
(modified from [2] and [3]))23. Overall Research Plan and Organizational Structure
In this research project, a comprehensive
Needs in Peru
research towards earthquake and tsunami
UNI-CISMID （Representative Org.）•Sustainable Development
IGP, INDECI, DHN,
•Survey of past events
disaster mitigation in Peru is carried out•Reduction of Losses from EQ
SENCICO, CONIDA,•Seismic & MT observation•Regional
Characteristics
INC, MVCS, URP,
•Structural tests and surveys
under the strong collaboration among
PREDES, ONGEI-PCM,•Assessment, Planning•Implementation Technology
researchers of Peru and Japan. Figure 3
Municipalities
Peruvian Research TeamInternational Joint-research Projectshows the organizational structure of thisEnhancement of Earthquake and Tsunami
Disaster Mitigation Technology in Peru
five-year project. The joint research will be
Japanesecarried out in five main research topics:
G5: Chiba Univ.（Representative Org.）
Research Team
（Project Management, Disaster Mitigation Plan）
Strong motion prediction and developmentofseismic
microzonation(G1);
G1: Chiba Univ. G2:Tohoku Univ.
G3: BRI
G4: Tokyo Tech
Development of tsunami countermeasures(Seismic M, Geotech)(Tsunami)(Damage Assessment)（Building）
based on numerical simulations (G2);Enhancement of seismic resistance ofDevelopment and Implementation of EQ & T Disaster Mitigation Technology in Peru
buildings based on structural experiments
and field investigation (G3); Development
Knowledge Transfer to Other Pacific-Rim Countriesof spatial information database using remotesensing technology and earthquake damage
assessment for scenario earthquakes (G4); Fig. 3: Organizational structure of the project
Development of earthquake and tsunami
disaster mitigation plan and its implementation to the society (G5). Japanese research team consistsof the five groups and their leaders are the authors of this paper.
Peruvian research team consists of CISMID/UNI, National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI),
Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP), Direction of Hydrology and Navigation (DHN), National
Committee for Aerospace Research and Development (CONIDA), Disasters Prevention and Study
Center (PREDES), National Institute of Culture (INC), Ministry of Housing, Construction, andSanitation (MVCS), National Service of Training for the Construction Industry (SENCICO),
Ricardo Palma University (URP), National Office of Electronic Government and Information(ONGEI-PCM), and Municipalities of the project study areas.
Figure 4 shows the research topics and items of
the project and the groups in charge the items.
Source Model
G1
G2
Based on the research outputs from the fourgroups (G1-G4), the disaster mitigation plan
Deep Structure
Bathymetrygroup (G5) will propose and implement
Tsunami Propagation
Rock Motion
earthquake and tsunami disaster mitigation
Topography & Soilplans to case study areas in Peru. Three caseSurface Motion
Tsunami Run-up
study areas will be decided soon after
Spatial Databasepreliminary surveys. A part of Metropolitan
Tsunami Damage
Seismic Resistance
Lima including Callao has already been selected
Damage Assessment
as one of the study areas. The other two areas
T. Countermeasures
Damage Detection Diagnosis & Retrofit
are still in discussion; currently, Chimbote in the
G4
G3
north and Moquegua or Tacna in the south are
Disaster Mitigation Plan
possible candidates. Other than these areas, theG5affected areas due to the recent earthquakes,
Pisco (the 2007 event) and Camana, Arequipa Fig. 4: Research topics and items of theetc. (the 2001 event), will also be considered in project and the groups in charge the items
developing hazard and damage assessment
models.

4. Implementation and Prospected Outputs of the Project
The Japanese Detailed Planning Survey Team organized by JICA visited Peru from August 5th to
13th, 2009, for working out the details of the technical cooperation program concerning the project.
During its stay in Peru, the team exchanged views and had a series of discussions with the Peruvian
organizations concerned, led by CISMID/UNI. As a result, the team and the Peruvian concernedorganizations agreed on the matters referred to in the document [4].

3The objective of this project has been agreed as “To develop technologies and measures forassessment and mitigation of earthquake/tsunami disasters caused by large-magnitude inter-plate
earthquakes occurring off the coast of Peru.” It is further envisaged that such technologies should be
widely used in Peru, and also disseminated and applied to pacific-rim countries, especially toneighboring countries, facing the risks of large-magnitude inter-plate earthquakes and tsunamis. In
addition, the project is expected to contribute to the enhancement of capacity as well as the advanceof research for both Peruvian and Japanese research institutes involved in this project.
The following seven outputs are listed in the agreed master plan.
1. Scenarios of large-magnitude inter-plate earthquakes are identified which will cause the mostsignificant losses in Peru (G1, G2).
2. Geographical information of the study areas is prepared (G4).
3. Tsunami disaster losses in study areas by scenario earthquakes are estimated, and mitigation
technologies are developed (G2).
4. Strong motion and ground failure in study areas by scenario earthquakes are simulated (G1).
5. Earthquake disaster losses in study areas by scenario earthquakes are estimated, andmitigation technologies are developed (G4).
6. Technologies for evaluation of seismic-resistance and structural retrofit are developed,
adapting to building characteristics of Peru (G3).
7. Earthquake/tsunami disaster mitigation is promoted in the study areas (G5).
The schedule of the five-year project is shown in Table 1. To implement the project, JICA will
provide the services of the JICA experts (Japanese research members), machinery, equipment andother materials necessary for the implementation of the project, and will invite the Peruvian
personnel connected with the project for technical training in Japan. The actual joint research will
be carried out by the five joint research groups in Table 1.
Other than group-based technical collaborations, the leading members of the project will meet
annually either in Peru or Japan in the
Table 1: Schedule of the project
occasion of project workshops.
The Joint Coordinating Committee(JCC) will be organized soon to
oversight the project and meet at least
once a year and whenever necessity
arises, in order to serve the following
functions [4]:(1) To approve the annual work
plan of the project(2) To review the progress of theannual work plan
(3) To review and exchange
opinions on major issues that
may
arise
duringtheimplementation of the project(4) To discuss any other issue(s)pertinenttothesmoothimplementation of the project

Research Items
Project Management【Chiba U and CISMID/UNI】
G1: Seismic motion & Geotechnical【Chiba U and CISMID, IGP】
1-1 Source modeling and seismic motion
1-2 Site response & Microzonation
1-3 Slope failure assessment
G2: Tsunami【Tohoku U and DHN, CISMID】
2-1 Tsunami propagation and impacts
2-2 Tsunami hazard mapping
2-3 Tsunami DM technology
G3: Buildings【BRI and CISMID】
3-1 Seismic tests database
3-2 Diagnosis and Retrofit
3-3 Retrofit of historical buildings

1 st

2 nd

WS▼

Period （2010-2014）
3 rd

WS▼

Source modelingWS▼

Field survey, measurement

Microzonation

Seismic Response Analysis

Hazard map

Inundation and impact

Tsunami simulation
Data collection

5 th
WS▼

Simulation of SM

EQ and MT observation, Geological survey

Damage assessment method

Historical tsunami data

Tsunami damage analysis

Tsunami DM technology

Literature Survey, Tests

Database development

Develop diagnosis method

Retrofit technology, Validation tests

Guideline

Survey, Risk assessment

Retrofit Technology

Guideline

G4; Damage Assessment【Tokyo Tech and CISMID, CONIDA】 Data collection Geospatial data
4-1 Geo-spatial database
Data collection
Methodology
4-2 Damage detection using RS
Damage assessment method
4-3 Damage assessment for Scenario EQ
G5; Disaster Mitigation Plan
【Chiba U and INDECI, CISMID】

4 th

WS▼

Literature Survey

Database development
Damage detection
Assessment, risk map

Planning

Dissemination, Education

5. Detailed Research Plans and Activities
To obtain the expected outputs, the following research activities are planned for the five researchgroups. The schematic image of the research for each group is shown in Figs. 5-9.
5.1 Source, Seismic Motion and Geotechnical Issues
1-1 Surveying historical records of earthquakes, and grasping the characteristics of inter-plate
earthquakes occurring off the coast of Peru4

1-2 Developing earthquake source models that are suitable to the characteristics of inter-plate
earthquakes occurring off the coast of Peru
1-3 Having preliminary estimation of earthquake/tsunami disaster losses using the source scenarios,
and identifying the most devastating scenarios of inter-plate earthquakes
1-4 Observing microtremor in the study areas
1-5 Developing seismic observation
networks in the study areas, andsurfaceobserving strong seismic motions
Surfacelayers
1-6 Collecting existing geological data ofEng. bedrock
the study areas, and undertaking
V 0.4km/s
supplementary borehole surveys
Seismic bedrock
1-7 Modeling deep and subsurface groundV 3.0km/s
structures of the study areas
1-8 Simulating strong motions and groundFig. 5: Simulation of seismic motion (left) and an
failures in accordance with the interexample of seismic microzonation (right)
plate earthquake scenarios
5.2 Tsunami Simulation and Damage
Tsunami propagation and inundation
Hazard Map
Mitigation
2-1 Surveying historical records of tsunamis,and grasping the characteristics of tsunami
propagation along the Pacific coast of
Evacuation tower
Peru
Tsunami
2-2 Preparing merged bathymetry andWarning
避難場所
避難ビル
topography data of the coastal zones of thestudy areas
Education
2-3 Evaluating vulnerability of buildings andinfrastructures in the study areas
2-4 Simulating tsunami propagation and runFig. 6: Tsunami simulation, damage
up in accordance with the earthquake
assessment (left) and countermeasures (right)
scenarios, and estimating tsunami disasterlosses
2-5 Making tsunami hazard maps for the study areas
2-6 Making guidelines of designing emergency evacuation facilities
5.3 Enhancement of Seismic Resistance of Buildings
3-1 Developing a database of structural test
results and material test results forbuildings
3-2 Developing technologies of seismicdiagnosis and retrofit for different types ofbuildings prevalent in Peru
3-3 Identifying historical buildings in the study
areas that face significant earthquake
disaster risks
Fig. 7: Structural testing (left) and construction
3-4 Verifying the effects of structural retrofit
site of reinforced masonry house (right)
technologies through structural tests andnumerical analyses
5.4 Geo-spatial Database and Damage
Assessment
4-1 Making digital surface models (DSMs) of
the study areas using satellite images
4-2 Making land-use maps and building mapsof the study areas using satellite images
4-3 Estimating earthquake disaster losses ofFig. 8: Damage assessment of the Pisco EQ
the study areas in accordance with theS

S

Building inventory1

DamageProbability0

Inundation Depth5inter-plate earthquake scenarios
4-4 Developing technology for rapid detection ofearthquake/tsunami disaster losses using satellite
images
5.5 Development of Disaster Mitigation Plan
5-1 Developing land-use proposals for mitigation ofearthquake/tsunami disasters
5-2 Developing local disaster mitigation plans for the
study areas
5-3 Raising the awareness through the dissemination
activities of earthquake/tsunami disaster mitigation
for disaster management organizations and local
communities

Fig. 9: Post-EQ land-use plan of
Pisco city proposed by CISMID

6. Kickoff International Workshop in Lima
The first project workshop was held at CISMID’s conference hall in Lima on March 15 and 16,
2010 as shown in Fig. 10. From Japanese side, Japanese Ambassador to Peru, Head of JICA Peru
Office, JST Representative from Washington DC Office, and Representatives from Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) participated in the event as well as
twenty five research members. From Peruvian side, President of UNI, Representatives from
Peruvian Agency of International Cooperation (APCI) and other government agencies attended aswell as researcher members and ordinary engineers/practitioners. The total number of participants
was about five hundreds. The rapid increase of awareness to earthquakes and tsunamis due to the27th, February 2010 Chile earthquake might be the reason to attract so many audiences to theworkshop, together with the efforts by the organizers. Ten earthquake engineering researchers fromneighboring Latin American countries were also invited to the workshop.
In the first day of the workshop, the opening addresses from the authorities of the both countries
were made, and then F. Yamazaki and C. Zavala delivered the objectives and plan of the JST-JICA
project, followed by the presentation by the group leaders. Group discussion on the research plan
was made by each group in the morning of the second day. In the afternoon, country reports weredelivered from the Latin American representatives and theme lectures were given by Japanese
researchers. The workshop was concluded successfully after the summary presentations of theFig. 10: Photos from the international workshop on 15 and 16 March, 2010 in Lima, Peru. The
reserachers from Japan, Peru and Latin American countries (left), Opening ceremoney (middle),
and group discussion (right).
group discussion.

7. The 2010 Chile Earthquake Field Survey by JST-JICA Project TeamA magnitude Mw 8.8 earthquake occurred off the Pacific coast of Maule, Chile at 3:34 am (local
daylight saving time), on 27 February 2010. The epicenter was located at 35.909oS 72.733oW with adepth of about 35 km. The event took place at the boundary of the Nazca and South American
plates where they converge as the Nazca plate moves below the South American plate. Tsunamis
6were generated by the earthquake and they propagated to Pacific islands and even to Japan, not justhitting the coast of Chile.
Although the primary target of the JST-JICA project is large-magnitude inter-plate earthquakes
occurring in the offshore of Peru, the same type of events occurring off the coast of Chile areconsidered to be good references since such events are infrequent. Soon after the occurrence of theearthquake, we started to plan joint field survey by Japanese and Peruvian researchers with close
collaboration of Chilean researchers. With the financial support by JST, the project dispatched thefollowing three survey teams to Chile (Fig. 11):
T1: Gathering ground truth data using satellite images and GPS (April 1-10, by G4 & G5)
T2: Tsunami run-up water-depth measurement and damage survey (April 17-27, by G2 &Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Japan)
T3: Seismic motion and geotechnical issues and detailed building damage investigation (April 27
to May 3, G1, G3 and Architectural Institute of Japan)
The results of the survey will be presented elsewhere.

Fig. 11: The Chile earthquake survey team of JST-JICA Peru project. Team 1 (left), Team 2(middle), and Team 3 (right).

8. Conclusions
Under the joint sponsorship of JST and JICA, a new international research program named "Scienceand Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS)" has started. The
proposal submitted by the present authors to SATREPS, "Enhancement of Earthquake and Tsunami
Disaster Mitigation Technology in Peru," was accepted in the category of natural disaster prevention
in 2009. In this paper, the background, objectives and research plan of the project were introduced.
The project aims to conduct a comprehensive research towards earthquake and tsunami disastermitigation in Peru considering regional characteristics, under strong collaboration among
researchers of Peru and Japan. After the preparatory phase of one year, the project formally started
from March 2010. The kickoff international workshop was held in Lima on 15 and 16 March, 2010,
gathering the researchers and stakeholders of Peru and Japan with the participation of researchers
from Latin American countries. The field survey of the 27 February 2010 Chile earthquake was also
conducted by the project members. The progress of the project will be presented in the near future.

9. References
[1]
[2]

[3]

[4]

ISDR, "Hyogo Framework of Action for 2005-2015: Building the resilience of nations andcommunities to disasters," 2005, http://www.unisdr.org/eng/hfa/hfa.htm
CHLIEH M., De CHABALIER J.B., RUEGG J.C., ARMIJO R., DMOWSKA R., CAMPOSJ., and FEIGL K.L., "Crustal deformation and fault slip during the seismic cycle in the North
Chile subduction zone, from GPS and InSAR observations," Geophys. J. Int., 158, 2004, p.
695-711.
USGS, "Poster of the Ica, Peru Earthquake of 15 August 2007 -Magnitude 8.0, Earthquakes
Hazard Program USGS," 2007,
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/poster/2007/20070815.php
JICA, "Minutes of meeting between JICA detailed planning survey team and the National
University of Engineering," 2009.
7