This is a buoy from the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART®) system, which can detect tsunamis as small as 1 cm and report them in real time.
A Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART®) buoy displayed atop a metal case, which serves as an anchor. The case has a special rope coiled inside that unspools automatically when deployed. The case also has the actual pressure detector (or tsunameter) and the acoustic modem to send the data to the buoy. (Image credit: NOAA Heritage)
NOAA Heritage Homepage
NOAA Heritage Homepage
When deployed, the buoy floats on the ocean’s surface, linked to a tsunameter on the ocean floor that transmits data to the buoy for relay to a ground station via Iridium satellite communication system.
The second generation of DART® buoys features two-way communications, so that ground stations can pull tsunami data at any time.
Dr. Eddie Bernard
Dr. Eddie Bernard, self-appointed “accidental tsunami guy” had a 40-year career at NOAA focused on tsunami research and detection, including the DART® system!
There are currently 74 DART® buoy systems around the world, most of them near coasts in the Pacific Ocean.
This network of buoys helps create more accurate tsunami forecasts that can be used to issue watches, warnings, or evacuations.
Have an idea for an artifact, photo, or document from NOAA’s history that you think we should feature in “Friday Finds!”? Send an email with a description and, if possible, a photo to heritage.program@noaa.gov.
Related Features //
NOAA Heritage Homepage