SAIC Tsunami Buoy (STB) System

Overview

SAIC is leveraging its experience from supporting underwater surveillance and as prime contractor to the National Data Buoy Center to produce a commercial version of the NOAA Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami (DART II) tsunami detection buoy.

Applications

The STB provides a solid foundation to build national, end-to-end, multi-hazard warning and mitigation systems.

The need for a dependable, proven tsunami detection system is growing worldwide. As the world's population continuously increases along the coast, the threat of another major tsunami tragedy like what occurred on December 26, 2004 continues to increase.

Features

Benefits

• Incorporates technology enhancing reliability and durability
• Follows DART test and evaluation procedures
• Meets DART operational and performance standards
• Compatible with established DART design
• Integrates into global tsunami warning network
• Cornerstone of international, end-to-end tsunami warning system (TWS) requirements

Technical Specifications

Media & Downloads

The following video and images show different facets of the SAIC Tsunami Buoy System.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to frequently asked questions about SAIC's Tsunami Buoy System.

What is a tsunami?

Tsunamis are ocean waves produced by earthquakes or underwater landslides. The word is Japanese and means "harbor wave," because of the devastating effects these waves have had on low-lying coastal communities. Tsunamis are often incorrectly referred to as tidal waves, but a tsunami is actually a series of waves that can travel at speeds averaging 450 (and up to 600) miles per hour in the open ocean.

Where are these a tsunami buoy detection systems located?

They are typically located far enough out to sea to provide one to two hours of notice.

What depth of water are they deployed in?

Typically tsunami detection buoys are located in 12,000 to 18,000 feet of seawater.

Does the tsunami buoy also measure waves caused by storms?

The tsunami buoys can measure natural tidal cycles, but these effects are predictable and easily subtracted out. Tsunami buoys do not register minor surface-wind waves, however. This is because of their wavelength. Wind waves only affect the water column as deep as half their wavelength, which can be up to a few hundred meters. Tsunamis, however, have wavelengths approaching 120 nautical miles. These monster waves affect the water column clear to the seafloor and the awaiting tsunami detection system.

Where are tsunami buoys located?

Currently the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has deployed buoys off the East and West Coasts of the United States and parts of the Western Pacific Ocean near U.S. territories. Our goal is to make SAIC Tsunami Buoys available to foreign governments desiring a tsunami warning system compatible with the NOAA Tsunami Warning System.

Is there a worldwide need for tsunami detection buoys?

Yes, tsunamis have occurred in all the world's oceans. There are typically six measurable tsunamis every year. A significant tsunami with waves over 4 meters typically only occurs on decadal scales.

Is the detection buoy system the only piece of a warning system that SAIC manufactures?

No. SAIC has also developed an end-to-end, tsunami warning system that builds upon the country's existing disaster warning infrastructure. This end-to-end, tsunami warning system uses the tsunami buoy as its cornerstone but also includes: data fusion and analysis; modeling and predictive tools; Consequence Assessment Tool Set (CATS); decision support; operation center development; command, control, communications and mitigation; and tsunami buoy operations and maintenance support.