...Oceanographic Commission announced that its Global Sea Level Observing System in the Indian has three tide gauge stations transmitting data every 15 minutes and 11 stations transmitting every hour to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) via the Global Telecommunication System. The PTWC, in turn, has expanded the geographic area where it sends information. The goal of the IOC is to have a system for the Indian Ocean in place by June 2006.

The report noted that DART buoys were not included as part of a proposed system because "sea level gauge technology was more accessible and cheaper to maintain."

Max Wyss, director of Switzerland-based World Agency of Planetary Monitoring and Earthquake Risk Reduction says progress has been made. "Some observation stations have been installed and submarine mapping has been conducted. But the cost is open-ended because the warning effort (education as well as maintenance) will have to continue indefinitely."

As for who is leading the effort, Wyss says "The UNESCO has its program; the EU is formulating its program; the U.S. is also formulating its program and the Indians stated they need help from nobody because they are going to do all that is needed by themselves! So everybody is leading."

Related stories:

1. ASCE Study Finds Seawalls Were Effective in Tsunami by E. Michael Powers, ENR (05/02/2005)

2.The Disaster Relief Network Has Just-in-Time Help ENR editorial (01/17/2005)

3. A Tsunami Hit on California Could Be Quick and Costly by Tom Sawyer, ENR (04/11/2005)

4. Storm Brewing Over Tsunami Warning System Proposals by J.T. Long, ENR (01/27/2005)

Other Useful Links:

West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center

Deep Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis

Global Sea Level Observing System