The Reliability of Tsunami Detection Buoys

Technology Review
March 11, 2011

The ocean-based tsunami detection system, known as the deep-ocean assessment and reporting of tsunamis (DART), which today sent warnings to residents on the west coast of the United States and Hawaii (as well as more than 50 other countries) is an unreliable system, according to 2010 report. Of the 39 stations deployed in 2008 only an estimated 60 percent were operational by 2009 (click here to see current active and inactive stations). The report, issued by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, concluded that the buoy stations, despite their technological achievements, may not be a feasible long term solutions for providing improved early warning and real-time reporting of tsunamis.
To read more click here...