What is a Tsunami Buoy?
A tsunami buoy is a specialized buoy which is able to detect subtle changes in water pressure which could indicate an incoming tsunami. Tsunami buoys are placed at strategic locations all over the world to provide early warnings which can be used by authorities to determine the risk of a tsunami. Using data collected from tsunami buoys, authorities may order an evacuation or issue a warning, and they can sometimes estimate the height of the incoming tsunami. Tsunamis are extremely large ocean waves caused by seismic and geological events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. They are especially common around the Pacific Ocean, where active subduction zones generate numerous seismic events throughout the year. The most devastating tsunami in recent history occurred on 26 December, 2004, killing thousands of people around Southeast Asia. This event served as a catalyst for many nations to work on comprehensive tsunami warning systems which include tsunami buoys. There are two main
