Tsunami detection and warning system

Abstract

Tsunami early detection and warning systems have proved to be of ultimate importance, especially after the destructive tsunami that hit Japan last March. Such systems are crucial to inform the authorities of any risk of a tsunami and of the degree of its danger; so that they be able to make the right decision and notify the public of the actions they need to take in order to save their lives. The purpose of this project is to enhance the existing tsunami detection and warning system, then to simulate an automated and miniaturized model of such a system, simulate a radar image processing study in order to calculate damages, and finally simulate an interface for link budget analysis. First the existing system was studied in depth, i.e. the concepts, instruments, communication infrastructure used, etc… After that, the GPS was also revised and a model for the combination of both systems was built. The model for the operation of a tsunami warning system was simulated using the data acquisition toolbox of MATLAB and measurements acquired from specified internet pages due to the lack of the required sensors (seismic and hydrologic). In the image processing part, the simulations included radar image filtering and damage extent study. In the final part, a graphical user interface was created to provide a tool for the user to be able to choose a communication system and analyze the different parameters to be considered while building this system and integrating it in the warning system. Finally, some improvements and steps for future work were suggested to make the tsunami detection and warning system more efficient, and therefore save more lives.