ENCOURAGING A NATIONAL SEISMIC NETWORK FOR UAE

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 004111 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/RA, AND OES/ENV AMMAN FOR JWHITTLESEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV KSCA ECON EPET ETRD TC SUBJECT: ENCOURAGING A NATIONAL SEISMIC NETWORK FOR UAE ¶1. (U) Two Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) seismologists, Dr. Keith Nakanishi and Dr. Arthur Rodgers, visited the UAE on September 13 and 14 in coordination with a planning meeting for the 2006 Gulf Seismic Forum that will be hosted in Oman. The two seismologists have been working with UAE University and the UAE government to encourage them to set up a national seismic network with a research center at the university. ¶2. (U) Dr. Nakanishi and Dr. Rodgers met with UAE University's Vice-Provost, Dr. Hadef Al-Dhahiri, Ministry of Interior UnderSecretary Major General Saif Al Shafar, Ministry of Communications Consultant Dr. Amin Karaien in the Meteorology Department, and Department of Civil Defense Director General Mohamed Al Amri. All the interlocutors expressed interest and desire in setting up a national seismic network, particularly in the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunami. However, all explained that they did not have guidance on which agency would have the lead role in setting up a network. The Meteorology Department of the Ministry of Communications receives early warning information on tsunami activity from the Japanese Meteorological Society, but there is no system of in-country seismic monitors. The interlocutors all gave differing advice on the lead authority for the project, ranging from the Ministry of Energy to the Ministry of Communications to the military. There is no clear agency or ministry which has the authority to act on such a project. ¶3. (U) In order for the project to move forward, the UAEG will need to decide on a clear lead authority for such a network that has the authority to operate seismic monitoring equipment in each of the emirates. Additionally, the government will likely need to authorize a lead research authority (probably UAE University) to collect and analyze the data. (Note: LLNL is prepared to offer academic and research assistance for the network). An experimental two station deployment in 2003 showed some small local events, as well as recording major events such as the Bam earthquake, but these two stations were not enough for proper triangulation of the location of such seismic activity. If setting up a national seismic network becomes more visible to UAE leaders, they will have the authority to direct a specific ministry to act -- likely the only way a national seismic network will ever become reality. ¶4. (U) This message has been cleared by Dr. Nakanishi and Dr. Rodgers. SISON