Title: Optimising the location of tsunami detection buoys and sea-level monitors in the Indian Ocean

Authors: Layna Groen, Lindsay Botten, Katerina Blazek

Addresses: Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Technology, PO Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2777, Australia. ' Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Technology, PO Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2777, Australia. ' Sinclair Knight Merz, 100 Christie Street, PO Box 164, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia

Abstract: In the wake of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami disaster, a global response to implement a tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean became imperative. Steps in this direction were initiated in 2005 with plans for the deployment of up to 24 tsunami detection buoys. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the optimal placement of tsunami detection buoys and sea-level monitors, in order to provide warning to the greatest population potentially affected. We adopt a mathematical programming approach to examine this problem. It is determined that 10 sites are essential in ensuring that the maximum population can be warned. This has implications for construction and maintenance of the tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean.

Keywords: location optimisation; tsunami detection buoys; sea-level monitors; Indian Ocean; tsunami warning systems; monitoring; buoy location; buoy placement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOR.2010.033136

International Journal of Operational Research, 2010 Vol.8 No.2, pp.174 - 188

Published online: 09 May 2010 *

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