New Algorithm To Predict When Tsunamis Strike

A group of seismologists at Australia National University have reportedly developed an algorithm that can detect incoming tsunamis.

Currently, seismologists are using ocean sensors that can detect unusual movements. Although experts are using sensor to detect movements, they can not take accurate calculations about how much water will hit the coast, or predict how strong the impact will be and its consequent effect.

If the prediction based on serson does not match to the actual tsunami, it will bring danger to people near the coastline.

The new formula will be useful in weather forecasting as it helps in giving early warnings to coastal cities about incoming tsunamis in the futur. It is done by recreating the movements of a tsunami to predict its threat level.

According to News Wise, the group of seismologist at the Australian National University created the algorithm after studying plate tectonics in the Japan Trench. This algorithm is called the Time Reverse Imaging Method, which uses real time data from ocean sensors, and gathers the information to recreate how a tsunami looked when it first originated.

Jan Dettmer, lead researcher of Australia National University, and his team analyzed first the information gathered by sensors on the floor of the Pacific Ocean before they build the algorithm.

The team analyzed the data from March 2011's Tohoku-Oki earthquake. Afterwards, they were able to calculate what the tsunamis looked like when it was started, based on the first wave appearance and initial sea surface displacement.

"(The Time Reverse Imaging Method) is not based on some guess, it's based on real-time information," Jan Dettmer said in a report by Science Daily.