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