Kids Web Japan

The 2005 World Conference on Disaster Reduction, held in January in Kobe. (Jiji)

The fight against time continues. This is because if an earthquake were to occur closer to shore, the tsunami could arrive even sooner. Currently a study is underway on making use of "emergency earthquake reports," which are issued as soon as an earthquake is detected at an observation point near the epicenter. The idea is to let people know as quickly as possible that there may be a danger, then to gradually improve the accuracy of the warning in the second and third reports. With this method, it may become possible to give out the first tsunami forecast in just 1 or 2 minutes.

Experiments are also being conducted on actually observing tsunami at sea using GPS wave sensors and ocean-floor tsunami sensors. Observation data obtained offshore will allow more accurate information to reach nearby residents sooner.

In addition, the countries of the world are cooperating to keep an eye out on tsunamis generated by earthquakes that hit faraway places. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii is responsible for gathering data on tsunamis occurring in the Pacific Ocean and issuing warnings accordingly. In response to the Sumatra-Andaman Earthquake and Indian Ocean Tsunami, an observation system for the Indian Ocean region is being created as well. Japan's earthquake and tsunami experts, determined to make the best use of their 50-plus years of experience with tsunami forecasting, are helping in this effort.