Thailand And Us To Jointly Install Tsunami Wave Sensors

[Jai Dee]

Thailand and the United States will jointly install two ocean buoys fitted with tsunami wave sensors

Thailand and the United States will jointly install two ocean buoys fitted with tsunami wave sensors in the Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea late this year and early next year.

Samit Dhammasaroj (สมิทธ ธรรมสโรช), assistant to Prime Minister’s Office minister, said the National Disaster Warning Centre is preparing an agreement on the installation between the Thai and US governments.

Mr. Samit said the US government will invest nearly 400 million baht for the installation of the two buoys which will be replaced every two years.

The Thai government, meanwhile, will pay 70 million baht on maintenance of the buoys for two years, he said.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 July 2006

[Old Man River]

Does anyone know if these warning systems ultimately require someone to sound the alarm? I know the buoys would provide the necessary information that elevated waves would be heading into Thailand, but doesn't the actual alarm have to be sounded by someone? I have complete respect for Khun Samit, but what if he is on vacation? How well trained will the "other guys" be?

[John K]

It would be nice if the sensors would sound an initial alert, that would be verified by humans. At least people will have a choice to head for high ground or wait and see if the alert is verified by humans. It gives the public the choice.

[Khun Jean]

400 M baht every two years and 70 M baht every two years for maintenance. That is a hefty price! But a small price for the added safety.

I thought with the many (weather) satelites in orbit around the earth it was quite easy to measure the height of waves. Along with all the other functions some satelites perform it seemed like an "easy" solution. Can someone with more understanding about satelites explain to me why it is not done?

Combining information about earthquakes and images from satelites it does not seem impossible.

[Scott]

I don't trust much of anything here if it involves humans having to do anything requiring a decision.

[Old Man River]

I don't trust much of anything here if it involves humans having to do anything requiring a decision.

That was my point. The second tsunami in Indonesia certainly shows the danger of relying on a decision. Human nature will normally be to not sound the alarm for fear that the disaster might not occur.

[Old Man River]

400 M baht every two years and 70 M baht every two years for maintenance. That is a hefty price! But a small price for the added safety.

I thought with the many (weather) satelites in orbit around the earth it was quite easy to measure the height of waves. Along with all the other functions some satelites perform it seemed like an "easy" solution. Can someone with more understanding about satelites explain to me why it is not done?

Combining information about earthquakes and images from satelites it does not seem impossible.

Khun Jean, I am not an expert on this at all, but did read a lot about earthquakes and tsunamis following Dec. 2004 (as I am sure many have). What I have learned is that following an earthquake such as occured Dec. 2004, the rise in the ocean levels in deep water is hardly noticable. It is only when the tsunami approaches land that there is a multiplier effect and the true size of the danger becomes apparent. Apparently, in deep water, satellites cannot track these subtle changes in ocean levels, but the sensors on these buoys can. The further out in the ocean the rise in levels is noticed, the more time to warn people.