SAIC Tsunami Buoy Systems

Overview

SAIC is on the forefront of bringing commercial tsunami warning systems to the international marketplace. The SAIC International Tsunami Buoy Program has produced more than 15 tsunami buoy systems for customers such as the governments of Australia, China, India, Russia, and Thailand.

The SAIC product family includes the SAIC Tsunami Buoy (STB) and the Easy-to-Deploy (ETD) DART ®.

Applications

SAIC Tsunami Buoy System: The Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) Tsunami Buoy (STB) is an enhanced version of the NOAA Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami (DART) system.

The Easy-to-Deploy DART: The ETD DART® integrated buoy, mooring and anchor subsystems are designed to be deployed by a vessel as small as a commercial fishing boat, requires fewer trained personnel and can be deployed in only a few minutes. In the right oceanographic conditions (low currents), the ETD DART can be deployed in lieu of the STB.

Features

NOAA internally evaluated the STB system and found it to be technically compatible and exchangeable with a NOAA DART II system. NOAA's internal review of the STB determined that it meets or exceeds the technical performance specifications of a NOAA DART II system.

The ETD DART brings a complementary capability to the proven SAIC Tsunami Buoy (STB) product line.

• 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

Benefits

As a result of engineering improvements and experience gained with the DART system over the past 10 years, the ETD design reduces the overall size and weight of the system while maintaining DART performance standards. The ETD DART® offers these benefits:

• Significant reduction in ship charter-hire costs
• Safer and less complicated deployments in higher seas
• Eliminates need for large deployment ship and skilled crew
• Improved vandalism protection
• Lower anticipated lifecycle costs

STB Technical Specifications

ETD DART® 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.