TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING TSUNAMI WARNINGS

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a tsunami warning system for warning people of the imminent occurrence of a tsunami and of its hazards. The present invention further provides a method for providing such tsunami warnings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The dangers of tsunamis are generally well known and, at least since December 2004 when a tsunami devastated wide areas bordering the Indian Ocean, much publicised. Early warning systems, intended to provide warning messages before the arrival of a tsunami have been proposed. Such warning messages are e.g. issued after the occurrence of an underwater earthquake, which may be considered the most common trigger of a tsunami.

[0003] In order to prevent loss of life, it is important to provide tsunami warnings to potentially affected areas quickly so that these areas can be evacuated.

[0004] WO 2006/079513 discloses a tsunami alarm system wherein information on the possibility of a tsunami occurring is collected on the Internet. The system monitors the Internet to seek information about the likely occurrence of a tsunami. If such a warning is detected, a warning consolidation procedure is triggered. The consolidation may include a pre-alarm to a supervisor of the alarm system and the attempt to verify the original message. Alternatively, the consolidation may include an automatic assessment procedure consisting of the attempt to verify the original message without supervisor intervention. Once the warning is verified, either manually or automatically, an alarm is raised and a distribution list manager sends an alarm message via a mobile telephony network to all subscribers of the alarm list. The alarm message may also comprise further information, such as a description of the region of the tsunami hazard.

[0005] A drawback of this system is that the mobile phone user must have subscribed to the service and must have their mobile phone on them in order to receive the tsunami alarm message. However, many beachgoers, often foreign tourists, do not carry their mobile phone when on the beach or have not subscribed to such a service. It follows that the tsunami warning message may not reach the people most at risk. In addition the system does not take into account the location where the phone user is and alerts all subscribers independently on their current location.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The objective of the present invention is to provide an improved tsunami warning system that does not have the abovementioned drawbacks. This objective is achieved by a tsunami warning system as claimed in claim 1. A further objective of the present invention is to provide an improved method for providing tsunami warnings. This objective is achieved by a method as claimed in claim 8.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention proposes a tsunami warning system comprising a remote server with an evaluation system with means for monitoring tsunami indicating parameters, means for determining the possibility of a tsunami occurring and means for issuing a triggering signal, wherein the evaluation system is configured to issue a triggering signal when the possibility of a tsunami occurring is identified. The tsunami warning system further comprises at least one tsunami warning device arranged in a public area, the tsunami warning device being configured and arranged so as to provide a tsunami warning to the general public when a triggering signal is received.

[0008] According to an important aspect of the present invention, the remote server comprises modelling means for modelling the height and travel time of a tsunami wave. Due to the modelling means it is possible to accurately predict the size of the tidal wave and its time of arrival on a particular beach. This allows an early prediction of the impact of the disaster.

[0009] Furthermore, the at least to the tsunami warning devices comprise means for monitoring tsunami indicating parameters and means for transmitting information collected by the tsunami warning device to the remote server for integration into the modelling means. Information collected by the evaluation system of the at least one tsunami warning device can therefore be transmitted to the remote server for integration into the modelling means. Local data collected by the tsunami warning devices is forwarded to the remote server and fed to the modelling means. Together with the seismological data collected by the remote server, the local data from the tsunami warning devices allows to provide a more complete picture of the tsunami conditions.

[0010] Preferably, the at least one tsunami warning device is arranged on a beach and is configured to provide a tsunami warning to anybody on the beach when a triggering signal is received. When the tsunami warning device receives a triggering signal, it can immediately alert everybody on the beach, irrespective of whether they carry personal warning devices such as mobile phones or whether they have subscribed to a warning service.

[0011] The at least one tsunami warning device can comprise a display for providing a visual tsunami warning to the general public; and/or a loudspeaker for providing a audio tsunami warning to the general public. Such a display may be used to display information such as e.g. a general warning message, time of occurrence of the tsunami, preferred escape routes. The loudspeaker may provide a siren-type alarm and/or vocal warnings and instructions. The visual and/or audio warnings may also be provided in a plurality of different languages so as to maximise the amount of beachgoers adequately warned of the danger ahead.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the evaluation system is integrated in a remote server and the means for monitoring tsunami indicating parameters comprises data obtained from seismological sensors, wherein the remote server comprises communication means for sending a triggering signal to the at least one tsunami warning device. The remote server evaluates the possibility of a tsunami occurring based on seismological data. Such seismological data may be gathered by sensors directly associated with the evaluation system or from other sources such as e.g. Internet sites, which in turn get their seismological data from associated sensors. The remote server analyses the available data and, based thereon, determines if, where and when a tsunami is likely to strike land. The remote server then sends a triggering signal only to the tsunami warning devices located in the area identified by the remote evaluation system.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, a further evaluation system is integrated in the at least one tsunami warning device and the means for monitoring tsunami indicating parameters comprises temperature sensors and/or pressure sensors and/or means for receiving sea water level data from off-shore sensors. The tsunami warning system can, with the help of its integrated further evaluation system, determine the imminent occurrence of a tsunami and immediately issue the triggering signal and provide the tsunami warning to the general public. Such a tsunami warning device may therefore be configured as a stand-alone device not relying on any external devices. This working mode is identified as "active working mode".

[0014] Advantageously, the remote server comprises means for evaluating the possibility tsunami occurring configured so as to determine the possibility of a tsunami occurring in a particular public area. The remote server then sends a triggering signal at least to the tsunami warning devices in that particular public area.

[0015] The local data allows to fine tune the tsunami prediction.

[0016] It should also be noted that due to the modelling means of the remote server, an early alert can be issued. Indeed, the remote server is able to determine the possibility of a tsunami occurring well before the evaluation system of the tsunami warning device is able to detect any changes in its monitored parameters. However, in the unlikely event that the remote server or the communication between remote server and tsunami warning device is not the communication between remote server and tsunami warning device is not working or there is a delay in the seismic data transmission or the tsunami is not of seismic nature (e.g. landslide) the evaluation system of the tsunami warning device is able to raise the alarm shortly before the tsunami is due to arrive if it is e.g. directly connected with an off-shore water level measurement device. Although the amount of time available to evacuate the beach is then reduced, it still allows people to flee the hazard zone and seek refuge in higher grounds.

[0017] Preferably, the at least one tsunami warning device comprises communication means for communicating with at least one neighbouring tsunami warning device and/or with the remote server. The communication means of the tsunami warning device allows for information from the tsunami warning device to be forwarded to the remote server for further use. The communication means of the tsunami warning device however also allows the forwarding of information and/or of a triggering signal to one or more neighbouring tsunami warning devices.

[0018] The communication means can be SMS, LAN or WLAN based. Bidirectional communication means such as LAN or WLAN is preferred for passing information between the remote server and the tsunami warning device. SMS based communication means may also be used to send a signal from the remote server to the tsunami warning device, e.g. for instructing the tsunami warning device to change from a passive working mode to an active working mode.

[0019] The present invention also concerns a method for issuing a tsunami warning to the general public, the method comprising the steps of

a) monitoring tsunami indicating parameters in a remote server;

b) evaluating, based on the tsunami indicating parameters, the possibility of a tsunami occurring, comprising the modelling of the height and travel time of a tsunami wave and the determination of the possibility of a tsunami occurring in a particular public area;

c) issuing a triggering signal if the possibility of a tsunami occurring is identified, and

d) based on the issued triggering signal, provide a tsunami warning to the general public by means of at least one tsunami warning device

wherein the at least one tsunami warning device also monitors tsunami indicating parameters and transmits local information collected by the tsunami warning device to the remote server for integrating in the modelling.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, steps a, b and c are carried out by a remote server by means of an evaluation system and the triggering signal is transmitted to the at least one tsunami warning device arranged in a public area.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the monitoring of tsunami indicating parameters by the at least one tsunami warning device is carried out by a further evaluation system. According to another embodiment of the invention, step d is carried out by the at least one tsunami warning device arranged in a public area when connected with the server. A simplified method of alerting is also available using the local water level measurements and in that case (active mode) the at least one tsunami warning device carries out also steps a, b and c.

[0022] The transfer of the information signal and/or the triggering signal between the at least one tsunami warning device and the remote server is preferably by SMS, LAN or WLAN.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one tsunami warning device has a passive operating mode and an active operating mode. In the passive operating mode, the further evaluation system of the at least one tsunami warning device does not or only occasionally monitor tsunami indicating parameters and collected tsunami indicating parameters are transferred to the remote server at a reduced frequency. In the active operating mode, the further evaluation system of the at least one tsunami warning device regularly or continuously monitors tsunami indicating parameters and collected tsunami indicating parameters are regularly or continuously transferred to the remote server.

[0024] In the passive operating mode, the tsunami warning device just collects few parameters to be sent to the server which use these information only to check the healthy condition of the one tsunami warning device. The data storage and transmission rate is therefore limited (e.g. 1 data per hour transmitted every 6 hours).

[0025] In the active operating mode, on the other hand, the tsunami warning device actively monitors the tsunami indicating parameters and forwards the collected data to the remote server for integration into the modelling means so as to assist in the tsunami prediction.

[0026] Advantageously, as soon as the remote server detects a possible tsunami, a message is sent to the at least one tsunami warning device, instructing the at least one tsunami warning device to switch from its passive operating mode to its active operating mode. When the remote server determines that a tsunami may be occurring, e.g. when an underwater earthquake has occurred, the remote server instructs the tsunami warning devices to monitor and send information on tsunami indicating parameters locally collected by the tsunami warning devices. This information can then be integrated into the modelling means in order to fine-tune the tsunami prediction.

[0027] Preferably, in the passive operating mode, the at least one tsunami warning device regularly monitors the presence of a control signal from the remote server, wherein the at least one tsunami warning device switches from its passive operating mode to its active operating mode when the control signal from the remote server is absent. When the tsunami warning device determines that the control signal from the remote server is absent, it sends an alerting message via LAN and/or SMS back to the remote server and/or to physical persons. When the absence of a communication with the remote server is detected by the at least one tsunami warning device, the latter can e.g. send an alerting message via SMS to a mobile phone of an engineer who can then react so as to restore the lost connection between the remote server and the at least one tsunami warning device.

[0028] In the passive operating mode, the frequency of data transmittal to the remote server may for example be about once every 6 hours, whereas in the active operating mode the frequency of data transmittal may be about once a minute.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a tsunami warning system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030] The embodiment shown in Fig.1 comprises a tsunami warning system 10 comprising a remote server 12 and a plurality of tsunami warning devices 14, three of which are shown of Fig.1 and referenced 14, 14', 14". The tsunami warning devices 14, 14', 14" are arranged in public places potentially affected by tsunamis. They are e.g. preferably arranged on the beaches of preferred tourist spots or at any location where a lot of people gather. The remote server 12 monitors tsunami indicating parameters and evaluates the possibility of a tsunami occurring. The remote server 12 may comprise at least one sensor 16, such as a seismological sensor or it may be connected to an external system comprising seismological sensors. Based on the seismological data, the remote server 12 can evaluate the risk of a tsunami occurring. The remote server 12 comprises modelling means which, based on the seismological data, on geographical data and, if possible, further data, constructs a model of an incumbent tsunami. The model can be used to determine where and when the tsunami will reach populated areas. The height of the tsunami can also be determined. The model therefore allows the evaluation system to evaluate the risk to selected areas.

[0031] The remote server 12 and the tsunami warning devices 14, 14', 14" are provided with communication means for communication with each other. Such communication means 18 may e.g. be SMS, LAN or WLAN based. The devices 14, 14', 14" in that particular area. Upon receipt of the triggering signal, the tsunami warning devices 14, 14', 14" immediately alert everybody in the respective public place. When installed on beaches, the tsunami warning devices 14, 14', 14" allow to alert beachgoers of the imminent danger.

[0032] The tsunami warning devices 14, 14', 14" preferably comprise displays and loudspeakers for providing visual and audio tsunami warnings to the general public. The display may be used to display information such as a general warning message, time of occurrence of the tsunami, preferred escape routes. The loudspeaker may provide a siren-type alarm and/or vocal warnings and instructions. The visual and/or audio warnings may be provided in a plurality of different languages.

[0033] The tsunami warning devices 14, 14', 14" can also comprise local sensors 20, 20', 20" such as temperature, pressure or collects sea water level from off-shore sensors. A further evaluation system of the tsunami warning devices 14, 14', 14" records local data from the local sensors and uses it to evaluate the possibility of a tsunami occurring. Due to the local sensors and the further evaluation system of the tsunami warning devices 14, 14', 14", the tsunami warning devices 14, 14', 14" are able to determine the imminent occurrence of a tsunami without the use of the remote server 12. This is of particular importance should the remote server 12 for some reason fail.

[0034] Preferably however, the tsunami prediction is made by the remote server 12 which, due to its seismological data, is able to detect the possibility of a tsunami occurring much earlier than the local tsunami warning devices 14, 14', 14".

[0035] The local data collected by the tsunami warning devices 14, 14', 14" is preferably transmitted to the remote server 12 for integration into its modelling means. The local data can help to improve the tsunami prediction by the remote server 12.

[0036] Communication may also be established between neighbouring tsunami warning devices 14, 14', 14" as indicated by arrows 22.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0037] 

10	tsunami warning system	19	communication line
12	remote server	20	local sensor
14	tsunami warning device	22	communication line
16	sensor
18	communication means

Claims

1. A tsunami warning system comprising
a remote server with an evaluation system with means for monitoring tsunami indicating parameters, means for determining the possibility of a tsunami occurring and means for issuing a triggering signal, wherein the evaluation system is configured to issue a triggering signal when the possibility of a tsunami occurring is identified, wherein the evaluation system of the remote server comprises modelling means for modelling the height and travel time of a tsunami wave; and
at least one tsunami warning device arranged in a public area, the tsunami warning device being configured and arranged so as to provide a tsunami warning to the general public when a triggering signal is received
wherein the at least one tsunami warning device comprises means for monitoring tsunami indicating parameters and means for transmitting information collected by the tsunami warning device to the remote server for integration into the modelling means.

2. The tsunami warning system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tsunami warning device is arranged on a beach and is configured to provide a tsunami warning to anybody on the beach when a triggering signal is received.

3. The tsunami warning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one tsunami warning device comprises
a display for providing a visual tsunami warning to the general public; and/or
a loudspeaker for providing a audio tsunami warning to the general public.

4. The tsunami warning system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the evaluation system is integrated
in the remote server, the means for monitoring tsunami indicating parameters comprising data obtained from seismological sensors, the remote server comprising communication means for sending a triggering signal to the at least one tsunami warning device.

5. The tsunami warning system according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein a further evaluation system is integrated
in the at least one tsunami warning device, the means for monitoring tsunami indicating parameters comprising temperature sensors and/or pressure sensors and/or means for receiving sea water level data from off-shore sensors.

6. The tsunami warning system according to claim 4, wherein the remote server comprises means for evaluating the possibility of a tsunami occurring configured so as to determine the possibility of a tsunami occurring in a particular public area.

7. The tsunami warning system according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one tsunami warning device comprises communication means for communicating with at least one neighbouring tsunami warning device and/or with the remote server.

8. The tsunami warning system according to claim 7, wherein the communication means is SMS, LAN or WLAN based.

9. A method for issuing a tsunami warning to the general public, the method comprising the following steps:

a) monitoring tsunami indicating parameters in a remote server;

b) evaluating, based on the tsunami indicating parameters, the possibility of a tsunami occurring, comprising the modelling of the height and travel time of a tsunami and the determination of the possibility of a tsunami occurring in a particular public area;

c) issuing a triggering signal if the possibility of a tsunami occurring is above a predetermined threshold; and

d) based on the issued triggering signal, provide a tsunami warning to the general public by means of at least one tsunami warning device

wherein the at least one tsunami warning device also monitors tsunami indicating parameters and transmits local information collected by the tsunami warning device to the remote server for integration in the modelling.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein steps a, b and c are carried out by the remote server by means of an evaluation system and the triggering signal is transmitted to the at least one tsunami warning device.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the monitoring of tsunami indicating parameters by the at least one tsunami warning device is carried out by means of a further evaluation system.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one tsunami warning device has
a passive operating mode wherein the further evaluation system of the at least one tsunami warning device does not or only occasionally monitor tsunami indicating parameters and wherein collected tsunami indicating parameters are transferred to the remote server at a reduced frequency; and
an active operating mode wherein the further evaluation system of the at least one tsunami warning device regularly or continuously monitors tsunami indicating parameters and wherein collected tsunami indicating parameters are regularly or continuously transferred to the remote server.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one tsunami warning device switches from its passive operating mode to its active operating mode
upon receipt of a pre-alert message sent by the remote server, wherein the remote server sends such a pre-alert message as soon as it detects a possible tsunami, and/or
upon determining the absence of a control signal from the remote server, wherein the remote server sends such a control signal to confirm its presence; and/or
upon the presence of a local signal exceeding a predetermined threshold.

Ansprüche

1. Tsunami-Warnsystem umfassend
einen Fernserver mit einem Auswertungssystem mit Mitteln zur Überwachung von Tsunami-Anzeigeparametern, Mitteln zur Ermittlung der Möglichkeit eines auftretenden Tsunamis und Mitteln zur Ausgabe eines Auslösesignals, wobei das Auswertungssystem derart konfiguriert ist, dass es ein Auslösesignal ausgibt, wenn die Möglichkeit eines auftretenden Tsunamis identifiziert wird, wobei das Auswertungssystem des Fernservers ein Modelliermittel zur Modellierung der Höhe und Ausbreitungszeit einer Tsunamiwelle umfasst; und
mindestens ein in einem öffentlichen Bereich angeordnetes Tsunami-Warngerät, wobei das Tsunami-Warngerät derart konfiguriert und angeordnet ist, dass es der Öffentlichkeit eine Tsunami-Warnung bereitstellt, wenn ein Auslösesignal empfangen wird,
wobei das mindestens eine Tsunami-Warngerät Mittel zur Überwachung von Tsunami-Anzeigeparametern und Mittel zur Übertragung von durch das Tsunami-Warngerät erfassten Informationen an den Fernserver zur Integration in das Modelliermittel umfasst.

2. Tsunami-Warnsystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei das mindestens eine Tsunami-Warngerät auf einem Strand angeordnet ist und derart konfiguriert ist, dass es irgendjemandem auf dem Strand eine Tsunami-Warnung bereitstellt, wenn ein Auslösesignal empfangen wird.

3. Tsunami-Warnsystem nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei das mindestens eine Tsunami-Warngerät Folgendes umfasst:

eine Anzeige zur Bereitstellung einer sichtbaren Tsunami-Warnung an die Öffentlichkeit; und/oder

einen Lautsprecher zur Bereitstellung einer hörbaren Tsunami-Warnung an die Öffentlichkeit.

4. Tsunami-Warnsystem nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei das Auswertungssystem in den Fernserver integriert ist,
wobei die Mittel zur Überwachung von Tsunami-Anzeigeparametern Daten umfassen, die von seismologischen Sensoren erhalten wurden, wobei der Fernserver ein Kommunikationsmittel zum Senden eines Auslösesignals an das mindestens eine Tsunami-Warngerät umfasst.

5. Tsunami-Warnsystem nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei ein weiteres Auswertungssystem in das mindestens eine Tsunami-Warngerät integriert ist,
wobei die Mittel zur Überwachung von Tsunami-Anzeigeparametern Temperatursensoren und/oder Drucksensoren und/oder Mittel zum Empfang von Meeresspiegeldaten von Sensoren vor der Küste umfassen.

6. Tsunami-Warnsystem nach Anspruch 4, wobei der Fernserver Mittel zur Auswertung der Möglichkeit eines auftretenden Tsunamis umfasst, die derart konfiguriert sind, dass sie die Möglichkeit eines auftretenden Tsunamis in einem bestimmten öffentlichen Bereich ermitteln.

7. Tsunami-Warnsystem nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei das mindestens eine Tsunami-Warngerät ein Kommunikationsmittel zum Kommunizieren mit mindestens einem benachbarten Tsunami-Warngerät und/oder mit dem Fernserver umfasst.

8. Tsunami-Warnsystem nach Anspruch 7, wobei das Kommunikationsmittel auf SMS, LAN oder WLAN basiert.

9. Verfahren zum Ausgeben einer Tsunami-Warnung an die Öffentlichkeit, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfasst:

a) Überwachen von Tsunami-Anzeigeparametern in einem Fernserver;

b) Auswerten, basierend auf den Tsunami-Anzeigeparametern, der Möglichkeit eines auftretenden Tsunamis, umfassend die Modellierung der Höhe und Ausbreitungszeit eines Tsunamis und die Ermittlung der Möglichkeit eines auftretenden Tsunamis in einem bestimmten öffentlichen Bereich;

c) Ausgeben eines Auslösesignals, wenn die Möglichkeit eines auftretenden Tsunamis über einem vorgegebenen Schwellwert liegt; und

d) basierend auf dem ausgegebenen Auslösesignal, Bereitstellen einer Tsunami-Warnung an die Öffentlichkeit mittels mindestens eines Tsunami-Warngeräts,

wobei das mindestens eine Tsunami-Warngerät auch Tsunami-Anzeigeparameter überwacht und lokale Informationen, die durch das Tsunami-Warngerät erfasst wurden, an den Fernserver zur Integration in die Modellierung überträgt.

10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Schritte a, b und c von einem Fernserver mittels eines Auswertungssystems durchgeführt werden und wobei das Auslösesignal an das mindestens eine Tsunami-Warngerät übertragen wird.

11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, wobei das Überwachen von Tsunami-Anzeigeparametern durch das mindestens eine Tsunami-Warngerät mittels eines weiteren Auswertungssystems durchgeführt wird.

12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11, wobei das mindestens eine Tsunami-Warngerät Folgendes aufweist:

eine passive Betriebsart, wobei das weitere Auswertungssystem des mindestens einen Tsunami-Warngeräts nicht oder nur gelegentlich Tsunami-Anzeigeparameter überwacht und wobei erfasste Tsunami-Anzeigeparameter mit verringerter Häufigkeit an den Fernserver übertragen werden; und

eine aktive Betriebsart, wobei das weitere Auswertungssystem des mindestens einen Tsunami-Warngeräts regelmäßig oder kontinuierlich Tsunami-Anzeigeparameter überwacht und wobei erfasste Tsunami-Anzeigeparameter regelmäßig oder kontinuierlich an den Fernserver übertragen werden.

13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, wobei das mindestens eine Tsunami-Warngerät von seiner passiven Betriebsart in seine aktive Betriebsart umschaltet
nach Empfang einer von dem Fernserver gesendeten Voralarmmeldung, wobei der Fernserver eine solche Voralarmmeldung sendet, sobald er einen möglichen Tsunami erkennt, und oder
nach Ermittlung der Abwesenheit eines Steuersignals von dem Fernserver, wobei der Fernserver ein solches Steuersignal sendet, um sein Vorhandensein zu bestätigen; und/oder
nach dem Vorhandensein eines lokalen Signals, das einen vorgegebenen Schwellwert überschreitet.

Revendications

1. Un système d'alerte au tsunami comprenant un serveur distant avec un système d'évaluation et un moyen de surveillance de paramètres d'indication de tsunami, un moyen de détermination de la possibilité d'apparition d'un tsunami et un moyen d'émission d'un signal de déclenchement, dans lequel le système d'évaluation est configuré de façon à émettre un signal de déclenchement lorsque la possibilité d'apparition d'un tsunami est identifiée, dans lequel le système d'évaluation du serveur distant comprend un moyen de modélisation destiné à modéliser la hauteur et le temps de parcours d'une vague de tsunami, et
au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami installé dans une zone publique, le dispositif d'alerte au tsunami étant configuré et agencé de façon à fournir une alerte au tsunami au grand public lorsqu'un signal de déclenchement est reçu,
dans lequel le au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami comprend un moyen de surveillance de paramètres d'indication de tsunami et un moyen de transmission d'informations recueillies par le dispositif d'alerte au tsunami au serveur distant pour intégration dans le moyen de modélisation.

2. Le système d'alerte au tsunami selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami est installé sur une plage et est configuré de façon à fournir une alerte au tsunami à toute personne sur la plage lorsqu'un signal de déclenchement est reçu.

3. Le système d'alerte au tsunami selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel le au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami comprend un écran destiné à fournir une alerte au tsunami visuelle au grand public, et/ou
un haut-parleur destiné à fournir une alerte au tsunami sonore au grand public.

4. Le système d'alerte au tsunami selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel le système d'évaluation est intégré
au serveur distant, le moyen de surveillance de paramètres d'indication de tsunami comprenant des données obtenues à partir de capteurs sismologiques, le serveur distant comprenant un moyen de communication destiné à envoyer un signal de déclenchement au au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami.

5. Le système d'alerte au tsunami selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel un autre système d'évaluation est intégré
au au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami, le moyen de surveillance de paramètres d'indication de tsunami comprenant des capteurs de température et/ou des capteurs de pression et/ou un moyen de réception de données de niveau d'eau de mer provenant de capteurs en haute mer.

6. Le système d'alerte au tsunami selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le serveur distant comprend un moyen d'évaluation de la possibilité d'apparition d'un tsunami configuré de façon à déterminer la possibilité d'apparition d'un tsunami dans une zone publique particulière.

7. Le système d'alerte au tsunami selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel le au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami comprend un moyen de communication destiné à communiquer avec au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami voisin et/ou avec le serveur distant.

8. Le système d'alerte au tsunami selon la revendication 7, dans lequel le moyen de communication est basé sur SMS, LAN ou WLAN.

9. Un procédé d'émission d'une alerte au tsunami au grand public, le procédé comprenant les étapes suivantes :

a) la surveillance de paramètres d'indication de tsunami dans un serveur distant,

b) l'évaluation, en fonction des paramètres d'indication de tsunami, de la possibilité d'apparition d'un tsunami, comprenant la modélisation de la hauteur et du temps de parcours d'un tsunami et la détermination de la possibilité d'apparition d'un tsunami dans une zone publique particulière,

c) l'émission d'un signal de déclenchement si la possibilité d'apparition d'un tsunami est supérieure à un seuil prédéterminé, et

d) en fonction du signal de déclenchement émis, la fourniture d'une alerte au tsunami au grand public au moyen d'au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami

dans lequel le au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami surveille également des paramètres d'indication de tsunami et transmet des informations locales recueillies par le dispositif d'alerte au tsunami au serveur distant pour intégration dans la modélisation.

10. Le procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel les étapes a, b et c sont exécutées par le serveur distant au moyen d'un système d'évaluation et le signal de déclenchement est transmis au au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami.

11. Le procédé selon la revendication 9 ou 10, dans lequel la surveillance de paramètres d'indication de tsunami par le au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami est effectuée au moyen d'un autre système d'évaluation.

12. Le procédé selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami possède un mode de fonctionnement passif dans lequel l'autre système d'évaluation du au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami ne surveille pas ou surveille seulement occasionnellement des paramètres d'indication de tsunami et dans lequel les paramètres d'indication de tsunami recueillis sont transférés au serveur distant à une fréquence réduite, et
un mode de fonctionnement actif dans lequel l'autre système d'évaluation du au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami surveille de manière régulière ou en continu des paramètres d'indication de tsunami et dans lequel les paramètres d'indication de tsunami recueillis sont transférés de manière régulière ou en continu au serveur distant.

13. Le procédé selon la revendication 12, dans lequel le au moins un dispositif d'alerte au tsunami bascule de son mode de fonctionnement passif à son mode de fonctionnement actif
en cas de réception d'un message de pré-alerte envoyé par le serveur distant, dans lequel le serveur distant envoie ledit message de pré-alerte dès qu'il détecte un tsunami possible, et/ou
en cas de détermination de l'absence d'un signal de commande provenant du serveur distant, le serveur distant envoyant ledit signal de commande de façon à confirmer sa présence, et/ou
en cas de présence d'un signal local dépassant un seuil prédéterminé.

Drawing