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Updated:
23 December 2005
Frequently asked questions about the Australian Tsunami Warning SystemFollowing the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, the Australian Government announced a major initiative to establish an Australian National Tsunami Warning System.
What role will each of the agencies play in the Australian Tsunami Warning System?" Geoscience Australia (GA) will operate seismic systems to detect and locate the earthquake. GA will then contact the Bureau of Meteorology (the Bureau) and Emergency Management Australia (EMA)," said Dr Barry Drummond, Earth Monitoring Group Leader, Geoscience Australia. "The Bureau will operate sea level gauges and ocean buoys to detect the path of the tsunami across the ocean. It has computer software that can then predict when the tsunami will impact locations along the Australian coastline. In consultation with GA and EMA, the Bureau will then use its weather warning systems to issue warnings to the public and emergency services organisations," said Dr Ray Canterford, Branch Head, Weather and Ocean Services Policy, Australian Bureau of Meteorology. "EMA will work with States and Territories to raise public awareness of tsunami risk and implement a national tsunami education and training program. EMA will coordinate Australian Government assistance, if required, to States and Territories," said David Templeman, Director General, Emergency Management Australia. Where will the System operate from?GA will have a seismic centre in Canberra linked via computer in real-time to the Bureau's National Meteorological and Oceanographic Operations Centre (NMOC) in Melbourne, and EMA's National Emergency Coordination Centre (NEMCC) in Canberra. How much of the $69 million Australian Government funding has been spent so far?$16.2 million has been committed for this financial year. Total funding for this project is spread over four years for: detailed planning in all agencies; acquisition and installation of detection and communications equipment; enhancement of data transmission in real time into GA and the Bureau; and liaison with States and Territories on community safety/education programs. If the project is to be developed over the next four years, what has been done so far?"Australia has actively participated in international negotiations to ensure the work in Australia can contribute to tsunami warning systems in the broader Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, and to ensure Australia can benefit by tapping into the data being collected by other national systems. Australia will be one of the key centres in the new Indian Ocean tsunami warning arrangements, with data analysis, seismic and oceanographic modelling, and advisory and warning capability. Individual countries will still operate their own national warning systems, but some will rely on advisories from several key centres in the Indian Ocean," said Dr Canterford. At what stage over the four years would you be able to reliably detect a tsunami approaching Australia?"Australia already has some capability, and work is being undertaken over the next couple of years to develop a fully staffed, joint GA/Bureau, operational 24/7 monitoring system. Work has also been undertaken by GA to enhance the current seismic network to reliably detect and locate earthquakes outside Australia. The current system is designed to locate earthquakes within Australia," said Dr Drummond. "In addition, the Bureau is installing more sea level gauges to strengthen the current network which was mainly designed to monitor tides and climate induced sea level changes, rather than tsunami," said Dr Canterford. If a tsunami occurred this week, or next week, how would the System work?"It would operate very much as it is envisaged to work in the future, except that currently there is a more limited network of seismographic stations so there is less certainty of being able to get the exact location. At present, there are insufficient sea level gauges to detect tsunami approaching Australia in sufficient time to provide accurate warnings," said Dr Drummond. Will the System be used to detect tsunami in the Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, etc?Yes. Will the System and the warnings / evacuation plans save lives?"It is designed to enhance the ability of communities and governments at all levels to be better prepared in the event of a tsunami or any other natural, technological or human-caused disaster," said David Templeman. What is the likelihood of another major disaster like the tsunami occurring?"It is not a case of if, but when. What we don't know is whether it will happen in the next few years or few hundred years. Major tsunami are low frequency but high impact events and there is a need to be ready. As always, there is a risk of smaller tsunami which can have major impacts on parts of the Australian coastline. "Historically, evidence indicates that events like the Banda Aceh earthquake and resultant tsunami of 26 December 2004 only happen every few hundred years. Smaller ones of course happen more regularly - they are part of the Earth's dynamic shifting process," said Dr Drummond. What are the chances of a disaster similar to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami hitting Australia, and where are the most likely places it could happen?"Work is being undertaken with States and Territories to look at just that issue," said Dr Drummond. "This will also see the development of risk models and innovative approaches to assess the potential losses to Australian communities from a range of sudden impact natural hazards. While such events will continue to happen, actions can be taken to try and reduce their impact." Which agency decides on the size of an earthquake and whether it is going to cause a tsunami?"Geoscience Australia assesses the size of an earthquake, and is implementing procedures that will be consistent with all tsunami warning systems around the world, consistency in the detected size of an earthquake," said Dr Drummond. "Whether or not an earthquake is likely to cause a tsunami will depend on many factors, not just its size. That is why it is so important to build a network of sea level gauges to detect the actual passage of a tsunami," said Dr Canterford. How will the Australian Tsunami Warning System enhance State / Territory emergency management arrangements, including the issue of evacuations?"Under the Australian Constitution, States and Territories have primary responsibility for life and property in their respective jurisdictions. An Australian Emergency Management Committee (AEMC) Working Group has been established involving GA, EMA, the Bureau, States and Territories, and the Australian Local Government Association to consider issues that could enhance arrangements," said David Templeman. How will the agencies put an evacuation plan into action if a major disaster occurs on a major public holiday?"In an "all hazards" approach to emergency management, States and Territories, as well as the Australian Government, have robust emergency management plans in place to deal with emergency situations on a 24/7 basis," said David Templeman. How long will people have to evacuate? How much notice will they get, and will there be any public education campaigns to make sure communities know what to do?"The aim of the tsunami warning system is to give communities as much advance notice as possible. With the technology we're installing, our aim is to be able to send out messages to the appropriate authorities at least 90 minutes before a tsunami would reach Australia. The community safety and education components of the project will involve close consultation with States and Territories to further enhance overall emergency management arrangements," said Dr Drummond. What if the tsunami is predicted to hit somewhere along the Australian coastline within an hour - will there be enough time to alert people and save lives?"The ATWS is working to a 90 minute evacuation time. That would put Australia in line with the world's best practice. States and Territories have emergency plans in place for a range of natural hazards, and they would implement them if a tsunami warning was issued," said Dr Drummond. When will the public education programs begin?"EMA is working closely with States and Territories to assess current community awareness programs and identify gaps that can be addressed over the life of the project and beyond," said David Templeman. What parts of Australia are most likely to be in the path of a tsunami?"GA has begun work with the States and Territories to make that assessment. It is too soon to answer that question," said Dr Drummond. Additional links
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