Tsunami Warning System for Caribbean in the Pipeline

A tsunami early warning system is in the works for Barbados and its Caribbean neighbors. It´s not a question of if a tsunamis will hit Barbados, the only question is when.

One of the lessons learned from the deaths and devastation caused by the Asian tsunami, is that an early warning system is critical. With the help of the U.S. government, such a system is being implemented for the Caribbean region.

As part of that initiative, U.S. experts are due in this week to start setting up a seismic monitoring system at Gun Hill in St. George. The equipment in association with other devices scattered around the region, will pick-up a tsunami five minutes after it has developed.

The benefit to an island state like Barbados is evident, particularly since much of this country´s revenue generating capacity is located in vulnerable coastal areas.

The benefits also go beyond the disruption of economic activity. The monitoring system will also pick up more than just tsunami related activity.

The Gun Hill Station is expected to be operational in a few weeks and the entire Caribbean system within the next year.