This system differs from previous Tsunami Warning Systems through new scientific procedures and technologies. Due to the unique geological situation in Indonesia it turned out that the systems used up to now, such as the Pacific Tsunami Warning System, for example, are not at all optimal for Indonesia. Earthquakes in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Indonesia occur along a subduction zone, the Sunda Arc, which extends in the form of an arch from the north western corner of Sumatra to Flores in the east of Indonesia. Should a tsunami occur here, the waves, in an extreme case, will reach the coast within 20 minutes, so that only very little time remains to warn the areas at risk. This prevailing situation formed the basis when developing the concept for the entire system.

So new procedures for the fast and reliable determination of strong earthquakes, the modelling of tsunamis and the assessment of the situation have been applied in the Warning System. In particular, the direct incorporation of a broad variety of different sensors for a secure determination of a tsunami is a big challenge.

In ca. 90 % a tsunami is generated by an earthquake, but also volcanic eruptions and landslides may be the triggering events. The conception aims at achieving indicators of a tsunami and its dimension by the analysis of different measurements at a very early stage.

The sensors of the Tsunami Early Warning System comprise seismometers, GPS instruments, tide gauges and GPS-buoys as well as ocean bottom pressure sensors.

In the treated region a period of about 20 minutes elapses between the wave's generation and the first contact with the Indonesian mainland. In this timeframe the sensors, which are installed at different locations inside the considered propagation areas, are able to rapidly detect deviations from normality (anomalies).

	GITEWS Flyer (english)
	GITEWS Booklet (english)
	GITEWS Flyer (indonesian)

In a central warning centre in Indonesia remarkable sensor data immediately is verified with a multitude of pre-taylored tsunami simulations to derive and to deliver trusted warnings.

By the involvement of local scientists and technicians in the framework of the Capacity Building Programme and by targeted actions to raise awareness regarding the tsunami threat the realisation of a long-term strategy towards the prevention of disastrous losses of lifes is aimed at.

GITEWS is a project of the German Government at the reconstruction of the tsunami-prone region of the Indian Ocean. It is accomplished by a consortium of nine institutions:

GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences (Consortium Leader),

Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), German Aerospace Center (DLR), GKSS Forschungszentrum Geesthacht, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), Konsortium Deutsche Meeresforschung (KDM), Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-GEOMAR), United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS).