Tools for Quantifying Data or Values
In the vast expanse of the oceans, a group of researchers led by Dr Rob Bell, Dr Richard Gorman, and Dr Willem de Lange are making significant strides in understanding ocean waves, tsunamis, and coastal processes. Their work encompasses wave forecasting, numerical modelling, and the study of climatic hazards, including tsunami research.
One innovative method to visualize wave behaviours is by using a Mexican wave. This simple activity demonstrates how waves transfer energy and can help us understand phenomena like reflection, constructive interference, and shoaling.
When it comes to detecting tsunamis, precision is key. Bubbler gauges, which measure sea level at short intervals (1 minute), play a crucial role. These gauges, often attached to tsunami buoys anchored in the oceans, can detect tsunamis as small as 1cm.
These buoys are part of a network, most notably the DART® (Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami) buoys. These buoys, located around the Pacific Ocean, detect tsunamis by measuring pressure changes at the ocean bottom caused by tsunami waves. This data is then transmitted in real time to tsunami warning centers, providing authorities with valuable information to issue warnings and evacuation orders well before the waves reach coastlines.
The system works by having a pressure sensor at the ocean floor that detects bottom pressure changes caused by passing tsunami waves. This data is relayed acoustically to a surface buoy, which then transmits the information via satellite to monitoring centers onshore. This rapid transfer and analysis help authorities issue warnings and evacuation orders before the waves reach coastlines.
Scientists also use a variety of other instruments to study the ocean floor. For instance, side-scan sonar is an important technique for mapping the texture of the seabed. This side-scan (the narrow torpedo-like instrument) emits sound pulses that are reflected by the seabed, providing valuable information about what the seabed surface is made of (sand, mud, rock, and so on).
In addition, researchers can use infrared light systems to measure concentrations of suspended sediments, especially silt and mud, by measuring the backscattering of transmitted infrared rays.
Ultimately, scientific knowledge is based on observations of the natural world, often in the form of data from measuring instruments. Whether it's the DART buoys, bubbler gauges, or side-scan sonar, these tools are instrumental in our understanding and prediction of natural phenomena like tsunamis.
[1] National Data Buoy Center (USA) provides background on the network of DART® tsunami buoys in the Pacific Ocean, including an interactive map of buoys in the network with real-time water-level data. [2] Scientific knowledge is based on observations of the natural world, often in the form of data from measuring instruments. [3] The GPS system has started a new era of instruments for the study of waves, combining positional sensing with other measuring instruments. [4] Researchers might use frequencies as low as 50kHz for seabed measurements, but higher frequencies like 250-500 kHz can be used to examine details on the seabed.
- Data-and-cloud-computing technology can be utilized to analyze real-time data collected from the network of DART® (Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami) buoys, enhancing the efficiency of tsunami predictions and warnings.
- Environmental-science, including the study of ocean waves, tsunamis, and climate-change, is increasingly leveraging technology such as smartphones and gadgets to collect and analyze proprietary data, supplementing traditional instruments like side-scan sonar and infrared light systems.
- Advancements in science and technology continue to revolutionize the field of environmental research, as shown by the integration of GPS systems into wave studies, enabling more precise positional sensing and fostering newfound levels of accuracy in wave data.
