Near the Thai coast, about 1000 kilometers from where a tsunami struck 20 years ago, engineers are placing detection buoys into the Andaman Sea. This is a key part of the warning system ensuring that disasters are no longer as deadly.
According to an AFP report, on December 26, 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake occurred under the Indian Ocean, triggering a massive tsunami 30 meters high. At that time, there was only a simple warning system in place, unable to provide advance warnings to the millions living around the Indian Ocean. Over 225,000 people in more than 10 countries died in this disaster.
According to official data, the tsunami caused over 5,000 deaths and 3,000 missing persons in Thailand.
After the great tsunami, governments of various countries developed a global tsunami information system, based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) network of six detection buoys in the Pacific Ocean. This system is called the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART).
Currently, DART has 74 buoys around the world, monitoring signals from submarine earthquake sensors and changes in water levels.
The buoys are battery-powered and need to be replaced every two years. Although only 50 are currently operational, the buoy network is designed to provide extensive coverage.
Broadcasting to coastal areas in five languages
This month, staff from the Thai research vessel M.V. SEAFDEC gently placed replacement buoys into the waters 965 kilometers offshore of the Indian Ocean. These buoys are yellow cylinders approximately 2 meters in diameter.
Now, Thailand's two DART buoys are connected via satellite to a nationwide network of 130 alert towers. These alert towers are equipped with sirens and speakers that can broadcast to coastal areas in five languages.
Residents in disaster-prone areas also receive SMS alerts warning them of an incoming tsunami, urging them to evacuate quickly.
According to official data, the tsunami caused over 5,000 deaths and 3,000 missing persons in Thailand.
After the great tsunami, governments of various countries developed a global tsunami information system, based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) network of six detection buoys in the Pacific Ocean. This system is called the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART).
Currently, DART has 74 buoys around the world, monitoring signals from submarine earthquake sensors and changes in water levels.
The buoys are battery-powered and need to be replaced every two years. Although only 50 are currently operational, the buoy network is designed to provide extensive coverage.
Broadcasting to coastal areas in five languages
This month, staff from the Thai research vessel M.V. SEAFDEC gently placed replacement buoys into the waters 965 kilometers offshore of the Indian Ocean. These buoys are yellow cylinders approximately 2 meters in diameter.
Now, Thailand's two DART buoys are connected via satellite to a nationwide network of 130 alert towers. These alert towers are equipped with sirens and speakers that can broadcast to coastal areas in five languages.
Residents in disaster-prone areas also receive SMS alerts warning them of an incoming tsunami, urging them to evacuate quickly.
