Istanbul tests tsunami warning system

The first communications test of the United Nations-backed tsunami early warning system for the northeastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean was carried out on Wednesday, paving the way for the establishment of regional tsunami warning centers.

Turkey is among the five countries in the region that have an early warning system for a possible tsunami.

“The purpose of the test was to ensure effective communication between potential regional and national tsunami warning focal points,” said Öcal Necmioğlu, co-chair of the North East Atlantic and Mediterranean Tsunami Warning System, or NEAMTWS, and lead scientist for Wednesday’s exercise at Istanbul’s Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute, or KOERI.

“France, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Turkey are the only countries that have the technical set up for an early tsunami warning system,” Necmioğlu said. “In the event of an earthquake, these countries will inform the others about the upcoming danger of tsunami.”

The tsunami warning system links the focal points of 31 countries, including Egypt, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Estonia, Lebanon and others in the region that took part in the system test.

A test message was set via email, fax and the Global Telecommunications System from KOERI to the 31 focal points. Early results indicate that the messages were received within a few minutes of being sent, according to a news release issued by UNESCO.

Given that the effects of a tsunami are generally felt after the initial earthquake, an early warning could give authorities time to launch their emergency disaster plans, Necmioğlu said.

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova also underlined the need for an early warning system. “This past decade alone has shown us the terrible destructive power of earthquakes and tsunamis on several occasions,” she said.

“This test represents a significant step toward improving security for the lives of tens of millions of people in the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean,” Bokova said.


/Hurriyet Daily News/