It's a bit late now!

Given they are now talking of this as being a bigger human disasterthan that caused by Krakatoa in 1883 - you may be right.

However, it has underlined the glaring deficit - the . Simply seeking to impliment such a system may also underline the need for different jurisdictions to talk to each other and plan together for this and other natural disasters.

The sad fact is that until governments are challenged with such supra national catastrophes, they are not likely to spend the money and resources required.

Such warning systems also beg questions as to what emergency procedures can be put in place, which may prove to save lives, albeit on much smaller scales.

Some of the talk concerning Thailand and earthquake warnings was that they prefer not to issue warnings as it may affect tourism to the area. If they are so keen to protect their tourism industry you'd think they'd have taken steps to put proper warning systems in place.
The chances of tsunamis might be small but considering the end result of such an event it doesn't make sense not to plan for it.

Every such diaster makes us ask the question; why didn't we plan for it. Us humans are dumb, we never learn.

Stable door maca. Large amount of money to be spent now for something that is unlikely to happen on this scale for what, another 50 odd years ?

Prevention might be sensible, but it's hard to sell as visible benefits are thin on the ground.

What I find strange is that the world is putting it's shoulders to the wheel here and yet far less effort has been put into problems which kill hundreds of thousands year in, year out. Is this because it's different for the West because it's our playgrounds that have been destroyed and there is human interest links when Tourists can be interviewed and celebrities lose relatives, like the unfortunate Lord Attenborough? Is it because Tsunami is "new" and we are jaded with Wars and Famines ?

Davros
It's because nice civilized white people have had their holidays ruined.

Actually I don't really believe that. I think most people are genuinely horrified at the level of destruction and loss of life overall.

Still, doesn't explain us turning our backs on the hundreds of thousands dying in other countries through war & famine, as you said.

I think most people are genuinely horrified at the level of destruction and loss of life overall.

I agree. Is the difference in attitude to this because of how the media have dealt with it ? Is some of it because it has happened at a time we regard as "special" ? Is some of it because it's a quiet time for news ?

I think it's because it wasn't a war or a famine. People are used to hearing of deaths in Congo, Iraq etc so we don't bat an eyelid when we hear of 25 killed in a suicide bombing.
But when 10's of thousands are killed on a normal day in what's perceived to be peaceful 'normal' countries it's a different story.

Plus the sheer scale of the event makes us take notice.

The media have their part to play too of course.

why did warning sistem didn't work?? please tell me

linsy
I'm no expert but I think that current seismo-graphs give at best a few minutes warning of an earthquake.
Perhaps a geologist could better inform you, any on here today?

Sol