Deadly Earthquake in Tibet Highlights Risks of Hydropower Projects

CN
Published:

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck Tibet, resulting in at least 126 fatalities and significant damage to four water reservoirs. The quake underscores the risks associated with a hydropower expansion in an earthquake-prone region, where 68 major dams already operate and another 101 are in the planning or construction stages.

Experts had previously raised concerns regarding the seismic stability of these hydropower projects, especially with China moving forward on the construction of the world's largest hydropower dam which is aimed at enhancing energy production. Following the recent earthquake, some critics emphasized the environmental and safety risks of such extensive water infrastructure in this remote and geologically active area.

Geologists warn that the weight of large reservoirs can exacerbate seismic vulnerabilities, pointing to past disasters including a devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015 that drastically impacted hydropower capacity. Meanwhile, China's water resources ministry has expressed apprehensions regarding the aging infrastructure of over 80% of their reservoirs, built between the 1950s and 1970s.

As the demand for clean energy rises, the balancing act between expanding hydropower capabilities and ensuring safety in seismically active regions remains a pressing concern.

Weekly Newsletter

News summary by melangenews

Loading...

More from China

Scientists Discover Chorus Waves Farther from Earth Than Ever Before

A groundbreaking study has revealed the presence of chorus waves, typically known to occur 32,000 miles from Earth, at an unprecedented distance of 102,500 miles, more than three times further than previously recorded. According to researchers at Beihang University in China, who published their findings in the journal *Nature*, these waves potentially indicate that energetic electrons and related phenomena could be widespread in the universe, wherever magnetic fields exist. Chorus waves are disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field that generate fast-moving electrons, often referred to as "killer electrons," which pose risks to spacecraft by potentially damaging their systems. James Burch, principal investigator for NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, underscored the significance of this research, emphasizing its implications for future space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The discovery implies that the effects of these energetic particles are more extensive than previously recognized, necessitating enhanced shielding against them for human space exploration.
CN

Chinese AI Firm DeepSeek Stuns Silicon Valley with Advanced Model

Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek has captivated Silicon Valley following its launch of a powerful AI model that challenges U.S. technological dominance. Despite U.S. restrictions on exporting advanced chips to China, DeepSeek's founder Liang Wenfeng revealed that the company had stockpiled between 10,000 and 50,000 Nvidia A100 chips before the ban. This inventory allowed DeepSeek to develop a model at a fraction of the cost compared to American counterparts. According to experts, while the U.S. government's export controls posed significant challenges, they have also prompted innovation within the Chinese tech sector. Marina Zhang, an associate professor at the University of Technology Sydney, noted that these restrictions have driven companies like DeepSeek to maximize resources and foster creativity. Liang, 40, is hailed as an "AI hero" in China, leading a team of fewer than 140 engineers—most sourced from elite universities. The release coincided with heightened tensions in U.S.-China relations, signaling Beijing's resolve to position itself as a tech superpower. However, the long-term efficacy of DeepSeek amid new restrictions remains uncertain.
CN

Scientists Discover 'Killer Electrons' Farther Than Ever From Earth

A new study led by Beihang University scientists reveals that "chorus waves," which produce dangerously high-energy electrons, have been detected more than three times further from Earth than previously thought—at an astonishing distance of 165,000 kilometers (approximately 102,500 miles). These findings, published in the journal Nature, suggest that chorus waves can be generated by changes in magnetic field frequencies, rather than only near planetary magnetic fields, according to co-author James Burch, principal investigator of NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. Previously, researchers detected chorus waves only at a maximum distance of 51,000 kilometers (about 32,000 miles). These high-speed, energy-laden particles can penetrate spacecraft shielding, posing a significant risk for human spaceflight missions to destinations like the Moon and Mars. “This is a new source of energetic electrons that we didn’t know about that can occur everywhere,” Burch stated, emphasizing the implications for future exploration. Understanding the behavior of these particles will be crucial for ensuring the safety of astronauts in deep space.
CN
All China News ->