المملكة: A Saudi researcher achieves a qualitative shift in the monitoring of earthquakes using artificial intelligence

In a scientific achievement that enhances the security of the seismic Kingdom, the Saudi researcher, Dr. Omar Saad, led a qualitative project in cooperation with the Saudi Geological Survey, to develop a smart system based on artificial intelligence techniques for earthquake monitoring and analysis in the actual time.
These advanced technologies contributed to improving the authority’s ability to detect earthquakes accurately and quickly, especially in areas with intense seismic activity such as Al -Eis and Al -Sharaa.

Improving successive earthquakes

Dr. Omar Saad, a specialist in computer vision and seismic data analysis, explained that this new system can distinguish between successive earthquakes with accuracy that exceeds traditional methods, which is a big step towards building an early warning system that contributes to protecting lives and property.
He added: “What distinguishes this project is the ability to analyze earthquake data in real time, which shortens the time of response from minutes to seconds, which is crucial in times of disasters.”
Saad had started his research career in Egypt, where he worked to develop artificial intelligence techniques at the National Institute for Astronomical and Geophysical Research, before moving to work in the Kingdom in 2023.
Since then, he has devoted his efforts to harnessing artificial intelligence in serving the goals of the Geological Survey Authority, through tools capable of analyzing thousands of seismic waves with extreme accuracy.

Determining cluster earthquakes

The director of the geological risk center in the authority, Eng. Turki Al -Sahli, stressed that the technology that Saad participated in developing “presented a real shift compared to manual analysis, and contributed to improving our understanding of seismic activity, especially in volcanic areas where sequential cluster earthquakes”.
It is noteworthy that cluster earthquakes are one of the most complex challenges in earthquakes, as it is difficult to distinguish between different waves and the location of each tremor accurately.
Here, the importance of the artificial intelligence tools developed by Saad, where the initial and secondary waves are analyzed at a high speed, allowing the construction of a precise database used to formulate evacuation and prevention plans and develop earthquake -resistant construction standards.
The team is currently planning to expand the use of technology to include additional areas in the Kingdom, in preparation for a comprehensive geographical cover that contributes to strengthening Saudi Arabia’s readiness for any future seismic activity.
Saad concluded by saying: “The use of artificial intelligence to serve the security of the Kingdom and the safety of its inhabitants is the first motivation in this project. Every second we provide in the analysis may mean a life that is saved.”