Student Activities Can We Predict a Tsunami? Procedure Although it is not actually possible to prevent a tsunami, warning systems and structures to help prevent damage to shorelines have been created in areas where a tsunami has a higher chance of occurring. 1. Your team of scientists has been charged with deciding where in the world to install a tsunami warning system. Your group only has the money to create one system that can cover a 1,000 mile square area, it is up to the group to decide which area of the world is most in need. Use the links below to make your decision, to describe the types of information that a warning center would need to make accurate decisions, and any other improvements that could be made to the area to decrease the impact if a tsunami does strike. Real Time Data Sources International Tsunami Information Center West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center Japan Meteorological Agency Pacific Tsunami Warning Center USGS Earthquake Data Volcano Data Weekly Volcano Activity Reports Weather Data DART Buoy Data U.S. National Data Buoy Center UK Buoys Weather Map Defense Resources Building Design Mangroves Earthquake Proof Buildings Assessment Create a 5 - 10 minute presentation your group's plan for the warning system. Be prepare to defend your reasoning. Make sure that the presentation answers the following questions: Where in the world would you put a warning system? (remember it can only cover 1,000 square miles) Where would you put the control center for the warning system? What important data would you make sure to have streaming or available to the scientists working on the warning system? How would you get the data/information to the control center? The data center can handle only three streams of real time data at once. State which data sources (from above) you would chose and explain your decisions. Describe improvements that could be made to the area to decrease the impact if a tsunami does strike. Extension Construct an "earthquake proof building".
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