Central Weather Bureau mulls quake SMS early-warning system
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Taiwan is mulling a text message disaster warning system in the wake of the devastating earthquake that hit Japan March 11, according to the Central Weather Bureau.
“We are considering issuing text message warnings to the public in the event of an earthquake above magnitude 6.5 with its epicenter off the coast, and one above magnitude 5.5 with the epicenter on Taiwan proper,” said CWB Director-General Shin Tzay-chyn March 14.
He stressed that details still need to be hammered out with seismologists and telecommunication experts.
The Japanese government sent cell phone users in Tokyo a red alert warning immediately after the earthquake occurred off the northeast coast March 11. This has prompted the discussion on whether such a system is feasible in Taiwan.
“One should bear in mind, however, that earthquakes in Taiwan often occur much closer to Taiwan proper and urban areas, leaving fractions of a second for an early warning,” Shin said.
“Tokyo is about 400 kilometers away from the epicenter of this magnitude-9 quake, so it allows for up to 1.5 minutes for the residents to be alerted,” Shin explained. “For places less than 100 kilometers away from the epicenter, an early warning is empty talk.”
Meanwhile, officials with the National Communications Commission said technology will not be an issue should the government decide to go ahead with the plan.
