The Role of Information and Communication Technology in the Development of Early Warning Systems for Geological Disasters: The Tsunami Show Case

Front Matter: Volume 8534

“…The typical component structure of a tsunami warning system comprises three major components: upstream from sensor systems, decide-and-act, associated by context information and models, and downstream to target groups. Although this basic high-level component structure basically remained unchanged, the software infrastructure that underpins tsunami warning systems has undergone several eras following the fast evolution of the information and communication technologies in the last 40 years [13]. Starting from the data processing era in the 1970s dominated by mainframes and minicomputers, following the Microcomputer era characterized by Personal Computers interconnected by local area networks in the 1980s, it has entered the Internet era in the 1990s in which the regional and global interconnection of a multitude of components and systems has become a major architectural design issue.…”

“…The GITEWS project addressed the specific challenges of early warning in a near-field environment with its limited reaction times. This project raised the opportunity to develop an overall generic architecture for tsunami warning systems based on best practices and the results of international standardisation activities in the geospatial software domain [13]. This approach included service-oriented architectural design principles but also open geospatial and Sensor Web service and data specifications from the OGC [16].…”

Towards next-generation routing protocols for pocket switched networks

“…Smart cities require urban services for location-based notification and announcements in order to create a safe and comfortable environment for the citizens [145]. The role of ICT in disaster relief and management includes the establishment of early warning systems for environmental hazards [143], such as mass notification systems for disseminating warnings and alerts to everyone within a particular geographical area [144]. In addition, systems that notify citizens about unforeseen nonemergency issues that result in sudden change of plans and inconveniences such as temporary disruptions in the supply of basic utilities (e.g., electricity, gas or water cut-offs) and changes in schedules of public institutions or public transport routes are required [146].…”

Emerging Trends in Crisis Management: Usability, Earth Observation and Disaster Management

“…The nature of ownership of systems have now shifted from previously military intelligence to privately licensed space and defense companies [7].Creating a balance between crisis disruption and real time demand for reliable information is current emerging trend in development of allied information communication technologies (ICT) which is critical is disseminating information through the web based crisis alert and warning systems [8]. Moreover, reliance on initially mapping and survey organizations as the sole custodian of spatial data and maps has been revolutionized with volunteered citizen participation through geotagging and development of mobile compatible web based applications which can display those maps with little data or through mobile data hotspots which can be set up whenever there is need even in vey adverse disasters through VSAT [9].…”