> > > Anybody make a cheap, PIC based floating Tsunami sensor they would
> > > like to sell a few thousand of?
> >
> > Could you do that?  Floating GPS receiver that detects unusual changes
> > (speed and magnitude) in altitude?  Could it transmit info fast enough
> > to do any good?  Is the change in altitude in deep sea areas even
> > that significant?  Or are you talking about a big but shallow swell
> > that only reaches significant height in shallow water?
> 
> As I understand, they are doing just that in the Pacific.  Some sort of buoy
> that somehow detects the passage of the tsunami.

A re-reply to myself...

Apparently, the method used is pretty simple when you consider it.  A
device is settled on the ocean floor, which monitors for a sharp increase
in pressure, which indicates a significant prolonged increase in depth
consistent with the passage of a tsunami.  This data is passed
acoustically to a buoy on the surface, which uses a satellite link to the
monitoring center where an employee checks the data andpulls the panic
handle, if appropriate.

Total cost per detector is ~$250,000US- hardly a bank-breaker for any
first-world nation.  The monitoring system is no doubt more expensive,
what with staff and such required, and placement of the devices is
also likely not too cheap, but still certainly far less than the cost of
rebuilding the chaos now left behind, much less the horrible human
cost.

More info can be heard on the Dec 29 episode of Morning Edition,
linked through NPR.org, where you can also find links to charities
which will disburse money where it is needed.

Mike H.
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