U.S. calling for a new early warning system

Advertiser Staff

National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Conrad C. Lautenbacher Jr. will tour the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in 'Ewa Beach today as he prepares to push for an international early warning system for tsunamis and other severe weather events.

Under Lautenbacher's direction, the United States is spearheading an effort by 53 nations to develop a Global Earth Observation System of Systems, or GEOSS, designed to revolutionize our understanding of the Earth and how it works. The system would incorporate the latest technology to take the pulse of the world.

Lautenbacher is scheduled to discuss this system at the American Meteorological Society conference in San Diego on Jan. 12. Global tsunami warning systems are also expected to be the hot topic at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan, Jan. 18 to 22.

Last week Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., proposed creating a $30 million network of buoys, wave gauges and seismic sensors to warn of tsunamis around the world. Under Lieberman's plan, the United States would take responsibility for building the global tsunami warning system and spend $7.5 million a year to maintain it.

"Ideas are flying around fast and furious. Governments are stepping up to the plate and offering things. Agencies are offering things as well," said Charles "Chip" McCreery, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center chief. "I think it's going to take a while to sort all of it out."