Optimal location of deep-sea tsunami detectors

The development of deep-sea detectors has significantly enhanced the potential for tsunami detection, particularly in the Pacific region. The detectors work in combination with satellite communication technology and surface communication buoys to provide an efficient and effective warning technology. The objective of this study is to identify the optimal distribution of a limited number of detectors, given that a maximum of six potential buoy sites has already been determined. Two objective functions are developed, one for a Pacific-wide warning potential, and the second a more specific USA warning potential. The resulting non-linear 0–1 integer-programming problems are readily solved using enumeration techniques. The results conclude that three detectors in the Tsunami Warning System can achieve the maximum warning potential for both the Pacific region and the USA.