• Home
• GOVERNMENT CXO
• E-GOVERNMENT
• CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT
• TAX AND REVENUE MANAGEMENT
• GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
• GREEN GOVERNMENT
• GOVERNMENT DATA MANAGEMENT
• GOVERNMENT SECURITY
• GOVERNMENT CLOUD
• GOVERNMENT ANALYTICS
• GOVERNMENT GIS
• CONNECTED GOVERNMENT
• DIGITAL INCLUSION
• EDUCATION IT
• HEALTHCARE IT

Central Government

Taiwan completes earthquake early warning system

By Clarice Africa | 15 November 2011

The Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan announced yesterday the completion of its first submarine-cable based integrated ocean observation system which will give extra seconds or even minutes to local authorities and citizens for them to brace and respond to earthquakes and tsunamis.

The NT$420 million (US$14 million) system has been deployed in the sea off of eastern coast of Taiwan in order to strengthen seismic and environmental observations in the area.

The submarine-cable based integrated ocean observation system consists of a variety of equipment, including ocean bottom seismograph and pressure gauge instruments, deployed at ocean observation points approximately 300 meters deep, which send real-time digital information to land via submarine optical fiber cable 24 hours a day.

The system was installed from Toucheng, on the eastern coast of Taiwan, and extends offshore through 45 kilometers of submarine cable.

The tip of the cable is equipped with a node that features a broadband seismograph, acceleration seismograph, tsunami pressure gauge, conductivity temperature and depth-sensor and underwater microphone.

As part of an integrated ocean observation system, the node is also able to collect information on earthquakes and tsunami, in addition to integrated ocean environment observation. Furthermore, the node features a connector that enables new or replacement devices to be easily added underwater without the need to surface the equipment.

“The system gives a much clearer picture of what’s happening. We can even hear the sounds of dolphins swimming by,” said Kuo Kai-Wen, Director of the Seismology Centre.

“With the help of this system, we’ll be able to attain an average of 10 seconds’ extra warning if earthquakes hit off the east coast, and an extra 10 minutes to issue tsunami warnings.”

Tweet

---