Supercomputers crunch 500 billion data points to unlock earthquake damage secrets

Scientists have developed supercomputer simulations that predict earthquake damage with unprecedented detail. Using EQSIM software and the Frontier supercomputer, researchers can now model seismic waves through 500 billion data points, revealing how geological conditions affect earthquake intensity. The simulations show that smaller earthquakes can sometimes cause more damage than larger ones depending on soil composition, fault type, and topography, helping prepare infrastructure before disaster strikes.