WP-Test Ban Network Probably Detected Quake But Did Not Warn of Tsunami

[satori]

By Colum Lynch
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 30, 2004; Page A24

The Warning System

Test Ban Network Probably Detected Quake But Was Unequipped to Warn of Tsunami


UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 29 -- An international agency that monitors nuclear explosions around the world almost certainly picked up immediate signs of the underwater earthquake and tsunami in South East Asia on instruments it operates around the Indian Ocean, but it had no chance to alert governments in the region because its offices were closed for the holidays, according to a spokeswoman.

Daniela Rozgonova, spokeswoman for the Vienna-based agency, said raw data from its seismic and hydroacoustic monitoring stations in the region will be reviewed by analysts when they return from vacation on Tuesday.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35068-2004Dec29.html

[Mistress Quickly]

1. Wouldn't any scientist

who knew of the earthquake had thought there would be a tsunami? Its not like it is odd for it to happen after an earthquake, at sea, measuring (at the time) 8.9. Next time they'll pay attention. Its only taken a couple hundred thousand lives to ensure that.

At least for 50 years or so.

[ThoughtCriminal]

2. Many seabed earthquakes do not generate Tsunami

You really need deep water tsunami detectors, which unfortunately, seem to only be deployed in the Pacific. I hope that this is a wake up call that detection equipment and warning systems need to be established in other oceans as well - not just the Indian, but in the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.

ed. for spelling

[Mistress Quickly]

4. Thanks for the education

learn something new everyday.

What's the saying? You learn the geography after the disaster.

[burrowowl]

5. Yes, but when one is detected

as a precaution, especially a quake of this magnitude, a warning should be issued.
I am surprised that when people saw the ocean retreating, that they didn't start hightailing it to higher ground. I have friends who were in Hawaii during the 60's tidal wave, they were on high ground and saw the ocean withdrawing .... an amazing sight. They also saw it come in, an even more amazing sight.
Gee, our nuke watchers take vacations. One student at NMSU is working through the holidays analyzing data. Apparently, the quake blew their instruments off-scale since the instruments were only set for the range of quakes in NM.

[bpilgrim]

3. why don't they just contact the INTERNATIONAL-MEDIA?

they're always open and direct people to your website :shrug:

excuses, excuses...

peace

[Kimber Scott]

6. So, the people who monitor nuclear explosions don't work on the holidays?

I suppose if I were a "rogue nation" then I would want to test my bombs on Christmas. I know. They really don't have to be there to do their jobs. They can send out the, "You're not supposed to be blowing up nuclear shit" letters on Mondays - unless, of course, it's President's Day. Then no reason to say anything about mushroom clouds until Tuesday.

[sherilocks]

7. The vacationing chimp says

in the last quote, following a series of articulate quotes from intelligent human beings:

"Clearly, there wasn't a proper warning system in place for that part of the world," President Bush said Wesnesday. "And it seems like to me it makes sense for the world to come together to develop a warning system that will help all nations."

"It seems like to me" that * wouldn't know a warning if it bit him in the ass if 9/11 is any example, especially if he workin' hard clearing the brush.

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. So what good is a monitoring agency

for nuclear explosions that can't issue a warning because it's a holiday? What's wrong with this picture?