Hi Kiddo. Not sure what USGS can do as they deal with earthquakes and volcanoes. A better organization to contact would be NOAA.

As part of an international cooperative effort to save lives and protect property, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service operates two tsunami warning centers. The Alaska Tsunami Warning Center ATWC) in Palmer, Alaska, serves as the regional Tsunami Warning Center for Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California.

From what I have seen there has been talk in the past about setting up a warning system in the Indian Ocean for just such an event such as the one we just had, but there were no takers. They didn’t think it was necessary at the time.

The problem is not unique. We can’t force them to prepare for something. They have to recognize the danger and then prepare for it. The US can assist with the needed technology, but I don’t think we should give them something they don’t want. It would be a waste of time.

However in view of what has just happened their attitude may change. In fact I’m willing to bet that it will. The cost of this disaster is going to be staggering. It’s going to cost more then what they have to recover. The worse is yet to come in the form of disease, feeding the people, and finding shelter for them.

A good place to start would be Lowell as he worked for NOAA and there is always the chance that he can give us some names. I’ll start with a phone call to him tonight. Never know what can be done until you try. Take Care…Cowboy

• Tsunami Warning