Tsunami Early Warning System

Tsunami A sea wave of local or distant origin that results from large-scale seafloor displacements associated with large earthquakes, major submarine slides, or exploding volcanic islands.

Regular Wind Generated Wave 10 Feet 300 Feet Speed: mph

Tsunami in Deep Ocean 1-2 Feet 316,800 Feet Speed: mph

Tsunami Approaching Shore Feet 5,000 – 10,000 Feet Speed: mph

Tsunami Cycle TidalSurge UnderlyingGeologicalEvent WaterDisplaced Wave Propagation TidalWithdraw Detection Opportunities

Detection Coastline Activity Wave Activity Geologic Activity Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

Current State of the Art 5,000 M Surface Buoy Hydrophone Anchor Tsunami Detector Acoustic Link Satellite Gonzalez, F.I. (1999): Tsunami!. Scientific American, 280(5), 56-65

Advantages & Drawbacks AdvantagesAdvantages –Deep water pressure produces relatively low false-positives as wind- driven waves do not generate deep pressure differentials –Multiple sensors can triangulate epicenter of water displacement and wave propagation can be predicted. –Good advance warning DrawbacksDrawbacks –Expensive equipment –High maintenance –Requires multiple communication links: SonarSonar Satellite uplinkSatellite uplink Satellite downlinkSatellite downlink Last-mile notification to authoritiesLast-mile notification to authorities Authorities must notify coastal dwellersAuthorities must notify coastal dwellers

Genesis Tsunami Coastal Alert Deep sea pressure SeismicEvents Surface anomalies Coastal Alarm & Detection

Leading Trough The receding sea that precedes a tsunami Near-shore subsidence facilitate tsunami penetration inland Theoretical predictions* and field surveys indicate that coastal run-up and inundation will be greater if the trough of the leading wave precedes the crest * Raissa Mazova of the Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University in Russia and by Costas Synolakis of the University of Southern California

Genesis Tsunami Coastal Alert Anchor Tsunami trough threshold level Tsunami trough (receding sea) Tension in anchor line pulls buoy into contact with trigger Flares ignited to signal coastal communities Satellite, RF, audible alarms execute responsive to contact with trigger

Genesis Tsunami Coastal Alert Buoy measures tsunami crest – broadcasts satellite data for emergency response in other areas.

Advantages to Coastal Alert Direct warning system in third world and emerging industrial countriesDirect warning system in third world and emerging industrial countries –Flares –Audible siren –Local RF broadcast on emergency marine VHF channels and terrestrial radio –Can be activated in advance by RF or satellite transmission if deep sea sensors forecast tsunami hit in the area Low Cost DesignLow Cost Design –No expensive off-shore installation and maintenance –Multi-use design – can be used for navigation, temperature readings, etc. Ideal supplement to sophisticated deep sea monitoringIdeal supplement to sophisticated deep sea monitoring

Genesis Tsunami Offshore Alert Responsive to seismic event GTOA releases non-buoyant pressure sensors at multiple depths below normal wave action.

Genesis Tsunami Offshore Alert Detachable pressure sensors Pressure changes below predetermined depth are indicators of tsunami activity. Pressure readings are relayed to monitoring station. Multiple readings provide more accurate analysis of deep pressure readings. Satellite

Genesis Drop Sensor Lead weight is adjusted so that rate of decent is controlled so that multiple sensors reach their operating depth in synchronization. Sensor is maintained above waterline before release. No fouling or damage from deep sea mounting. Pressure transducer supplied by Paroscientific, Inc. – Quartz crystal detection of flex of Bourdon tube. Telemetry and support line.

Genesis Tsunami Offshore Alert No permanent seabed pressure sensor Pressure readings at multiple depths Pressure transducer equipment kept out of hostile environment until deployed Redundancy if a sensor fails Lower false positives No ROV needed for maintenance or deployment

Genesis Tsunami System Costal detection and notification Offshore monitoring and early warning Integrated systems provide prediction, notification and warning in a single package. Low costs for deployment and maintenance Superior data capture and uptime

The End Baxter Technologies