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Published online 16 July 2009 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2009.702

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Tsunami forecast in real time

Russian tsunami modeller seizes unexpected opportunity after New Zealand earthquake.

Quirin Schiermeier

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the southwest coast of New Zealand on 15 July has given scientists a unique opportunity to show off their tsunami forecasting skills in real time.

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  • The latest tsunami warning systems are very impressive. However I have been receiving timely and informative email tsunami warnings from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center for more than six years and have been trying to get authorities to recognise the lack of preparedness of Australian coastal communities. Unfortunately these communities have no idea what to do in the event of a severe tsunami warning.

    • 16 Jul, 2009
    • Posted by: Michael Paine

  • Indeed the research on Tsunami forewarning is commendable. It is essential to open the Nature debate again on Earthquake and Tsunami Prediction. Professor Saumitra Mukherjee Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi-110067 INDIA dr.saumitramukherjee@usa.net

    • 18 Jul, 2009
    • Posted by: Saumitra Mukherjee

  • I agree with Michael Paine. Most Australian vulnerable coastal communities are completely unaware of any evacuation plan for their area. Given the time-frame from a prediction of a large tsunami on it's way from the Australian-Pacific Boundary to the first wave arriving, any accurate prediction really wouldn't help to minimize the fatalities, injuries and destruction.

    • 18 Jul, 2009
    • Posted by: Kristin Fedorow

  • Early Earthquake warning iPhone application

    Sends instant push notifications to the iPhone based on location, quake magnitude and the distance of the earthquake.

    http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=320655564&mt=8

    • 23 Aug, 2009
    • Posted by: Venky Krishnamani