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Introduction
Background
The
Seismological Division of Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD), established
in 1974, was aimed to serve as national centre for monitoring earthquake
activities in Malaysia and its surrounding areas to meet the increasing
demand for seismological information. At the end of the year 2007, it
has changed its name officially to Geophysics and Tsunami Division. This
is in keeping with its function to monitor earthquake and as well as
tsunami activities occurred in the region.
Malaysian National
Tsunami Early Warning System (MNTEWS)
After the tsunami hit Indian
Ocean nations and Malaysia on 26 December 2004, the government of
Malaysia have decided to set up a National Early Warning System
(SAATNM), which aim to provide early warning on tsunamis for people
especially those residing along the country’s coastal stretches that are
prone to tsunami threat.
It was implemented by the
Science, Technology and Innovations Ministry via the Malaysian
Meteorological Department in 2005. Generally, SAATNM comprises three
major components, Monitoring and Detection, Data Processing and Data
Dissemination.
Monitoring and
Detection Component
Seismic Network in Malaysia
Instrumental recording of
seismic events in Malaysia began only in 1976 with the
implementation of the Seismological Programme Southeast Asia
with the funding from UNESCO. Presently, Malaysian Meteorological
Department (MMD) operates a total of 14 seismological stations
throughout the country. 7 seismological stations use the short
period sensor whilst the other 7 stations use the broadboand sensor.
The seismic data are received in real time via a VSAT satellite and
is transmitted to Malaysian Meteorological Department Headquarters
at Petaling Jaya.
Deep Ocean Buoy Network
The first deep ocean buoy
was deployed in the Andaman Sea, near Pulau Rondo on 30 December
2005. On 7 March 2006, the second buoy installed near the Terumbu
Layang-Layang di in South China Sea. It is well equipped with the
tsunameter tool to detect the surface pressure and also the heigth
of the tsunami waves.
Tide Gauge
Network
One of the component under
SAATNM is the tide gauge network installed at several locations, at
Porto Malai (Langkawi), Pulau Perak and Teluk Bahang in the northern
region of Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Perhentian in northwest
Peninsular Malaysia, in Kudat and Lahad Datu di Sabah. They are
capable of measuring the height of sea level and the data received
are continously monitored to ensure that the warning is issued. In
the effort of improving sea level monitoring MMD has also linked
SAATNMM to regional and as well as international tide gauge networks
such as GLOSS and network in the Indian Ocean region.
Coastal Camera
Network
Currently, a total of four
closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) which have been installed in
strategic locations in the northern parts of Peninsular Malaysia to
monitor high wave or unusual sea condition. The first coastal
camera was successfully installed in Batu Feringghi Beach, Penang.
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