Submarine cable brings seismic observation system

The CWB has been working to improve the early warning capability for earthquakes and tsunami off the eastern coast of Taiwan since the establishment of the Marine Cable Hosted Observatory (MACHO) project in 2007.

This new system is mainly intended for observation of earthquakes and tsunami in the area ranging from the offshore coast of Yilan in eastern Taiwan to Fangshan in Pingtung County. The submarine cable measures 620km and reaches a depth of 5,800m. All products, including optical submarine cables, submarine observation units, and optical submarine repeaters, which constitute the system, were manufactured and assembled at NEC factories in Japan.

According to the CWB, when an earthquake occurs in the eastern sea area of Taiwan this new system can provide an emergency warning more than ten seconds before the actual tremor is felt on land. Moreover, a warning can be issued 20 to 30 minutes before a tsunami reaches the coastal area. As a result, this system will contribute to the enhancement of disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities. For example, public transportation systems, including MRTs (Mass Rapid

Transit) and HSRs (High Speed Rail) can quickly decelerate in the event of an earthquake.

Atsushi Kuwahara, General Manager, Submarine Network Division, NEC Corporation, said: "It is a great honor that the NEC Group can use its many years of experience in optical submarine cable communication technology and submarine observation technology to help prevent disasters and ensure safety for the residents and government of Taiwan. Going forward, we will continue to provide technology and solutions that contribute to the well-being of our communities."

Kuo-Chang Chen, Director, Seismology Center, Central Weather Bureau, added: "The Central Weather Bureau promotes the provision of breaking news on earthquake information that helps to ensure the safety of local residents.

“NEC's optical transmission equipment and submarine cables used around the world enable 24-hour real-time transmission of digital information from submarine observation equipment to onshore monitoring stations, thereby strengthening the monitoring of earthquake and tsunami activities. This new system will help Taiwan to take a leading position in the understanding of trends in the earthquake and tsunami observation field."