A new Tsunami Warning System, developed by the European Commission's Joint Research Center (JRC), will be tested in Setúbal (Portugal) on October 2nd.
The experiment will assess the effectiveness of real-time sea level analysis in automatically triggering alerts to the population at risk.
The new system will allow sending an alert in the event of any type of tsunami, whether of a seismic origin or caused by a landslide.
The setup of the experimental system consists of two components: a digital panel and a sea level measurement system.
The digital panel – Tsunami Alert Device – is located in Parque de Albarquel in Setúbal. It is equipped with data collectors, a siren and loudspeakers. The sea level measurement system is located three kilometers from the digital panel on the coast of Setúbal.
During the test phase, JRC researchers will place the measurement system inside a mechanical simulator that will simulate the sea level rise corresponding to a tsunami.
As soon as the measurement system detects a significant rise in sea level, it will transmit a signal to the digital panel which, in turn, will alert people present in the park.
The purpose of this test is to analyze whether the real-time transmission of the signal from the measurement system to the digital panel is reliable and demonstrate that the sea level measurement can be used effectively as a trigger mechanism for the Tsunami Warning Device.
The alert device can be activated manually or automatically. The authorities responsible for monitoring tsunamis can remotely trigger the digital panel whenever there is a need for evacuation.
Alternatively, in the event of a tsunami generated by an earthquake, the panel can be automatically activated using software developed at the JRC that estimates the wave height and travel time based on the earthquake's epicenter and magnitude.
The connection between the warning device and the local sea level measurement systems can allow the automatic activation of an alert in the case of dangerous swells of non-seismic origin, such as those produced by landslides (underwater landslides or volcano collapse) , for which existing early warning systems based on seismic signals cannot help with early warning.
Increasing the distance between the measurement of sea level and the device increases the time interval available for reaction, between the alert and the arrival of the wave, thus giving more time to the population at risk on the beaches to shelter.
Measuring devices located offshore and remotely connected to the panel can increase this time span.
This experience is part of a European research activity that studies new advanced methods to improve disaster warning mechanisms and reduce warning transmission times to populations at risk.
The JRC is conducting the experiment in collaboration with the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). In Portugal, the IPMA is responsible for the national tsunami alert system and communicates these alerts to the National Civil Protection Authority (ANPC), which in turn alerts the population at risk.
In 2011, the JRC, IPMA and Setúbal municipal authorities agreed to install the tsunami warning panel in Albarquel Park to support the JRC's investigation in this area and test possible new mechanisms.
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