(CNN)The disaster hit without warning. Many of the hundreds of people who died when a tsunami struck the Indonesian coast Saturday night were nowhere near shelter. Quite simply, they had no idea it was coming. That's because despite a history of tsunamis caused by volcanoes and earthquakes, Indonesia has not had an effective early warning system for years. Saturday's disaster isn't the first time Indonesia's disaster readiness has been criticized this year. In September, more than 2,000 people were killed after a tsunami and earthquake struck western Sulawesi, with many complaining they were caught unawares. Also, over July and August, a series of earthquakes hit the northern Lombok region, sparking landslides and collapsing buildings that left over 400 people dead. On Monday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo ordered the country's Meteorology, Climatology and Geological Agency (BMKG) to purchase tsunami detectors "that can provide early warnings to community." Read More Widodo … [Read more...] about How Indonesia’s tsunami warning system failed its citizens again
Tsunami warning signs
FEATURE: Caribbean countries taking more than just passing interest in tsunamis
Share This On: – With the frequency of earthquakes in the Caribbean these days, regional countries are taking more than just a passing interest in World Tsunami Awareness Day, which is being observed today. The Seismic Research centre (SRC) of the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) describes a tsunami as an ocean wave or series of waves caused by a sudden disturbance of the ocean floor that displaces a large amount of water. SRC says tsunamis are caused generally by earthquakes, less commonly by submarine landslides, infrequently by submarine volcanic eruptions and very rarely by large meteorite impacts in the ocean. Trinidad and Tobago, is one Caribbean country that has been experiencing, almost on a daily basis, earth tremors with the biggest scare occurring in late August when an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 sent people scampering out of buildings, destroyed some homes and brought with it the possibility of a tsunami. SRC Director Dr. … [Read more...] about FEATURE: Caribbean countries taking more than just passing interest in tsunamis
Indonesia accused of mishandling tsunami warnings
(CNN)The Indonesian government has defended itself against accusations it issued inadequate safety warnings as a powerful earthquake triggered a tsunami that killed at least 844 people. The 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Sulawesi island on Friday causing three-meter-high (10 foot) waves to surge over parts of its northwestern shore, with groups of people caught on the coastline, apparently unaware of the danger. Experts underscored the difficulties of predicting tsunamis and raising safety alerts across Indonesia's vast archipelago of over 17,000 islands and 261 million people, but others pointed to a lack of government coordination and funding. Online criticism from Indonesians centered on allegations that the country's meteorology and geophysics agency (BMKG) canceled the tsunami alert too early. The alert was sounded shortly after 6 p.m. on Friday warning of potential waves of up to three meters. The warning was canceled at 6.36 p.m. However, the agency said the alert was lifted … [Read more...] about Indonesia accused of mishandling tsunami warnings
Tsunami warning as quake strikes popular Indonesian tourist island
News / World by Press Association 05/08/2018, 2:13 pm Updated: 05/08/2018, 3:00 pm FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail Send us a story Sign up to our Daily newsletter A strong earthquake has struck Indonesia’s popular tourist island of Lombok. The quake came a week after another in the same area killed more than a dozen people. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said the latest quake has the potential to trigger a tsunami. The US Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 7.0 and its epicentre was about one mile east-southeast of Loloan, with a depth of six miles. A magnitude 6.4 quake hit Lombok, which is just east of Bali, on July 29, killing 16 people. Like Bali, Lombok is known for pristine beaches and mountains. Hotels and other buildings in both locations are not allowed to exceed the height of coconut trees. Sign up to our Daily newsletter More from the Evening Express Dozens killed after quake hits Indonesian tourist island New … [Read more...] about Tsunami warning as quake strikes popular Indonesian tourist island
Mayor Kim signs supplementary emergency proclamation, 4.5 earthquake occurs at Kilauea summit
Volcano Update By West Hawaii Today Staff | Wednesday, May 30, 2018, 2:05 p.m. Share this story In this Saturday, May 26, 2018 image from video released by the U.S. Geological Survey, lava sends up clouds of steam and toxic gases as it enters the Pacific Ocean as Kilauea Volcano continues its eruption cycle near Pahoa on the island of Kilauea, Hawaii. Lava from the Kilauea volcano has reached a geothermal power plant on the Big Island, approaching wells that have been capped to protect against the release of toxic gas should they mix with lava. (U.S. Geological Survey via AP) Mayor Harry Kim signed a second supplementary emergency proclamation on Thursday due to to the ongoing Kilauea eruption. The proclamation states that a state of emergency continues to exist due to threat of imminent disaster on Hawaii Island, effective today and continuing for 60 days or until further act by the mayor’s office. Also on Thursday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center … [Read more...] about Mayor Kim signs supplementary emergency proclamation, 4.5 earthquake occurs at Kilauea summit