In June 2017 Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) hosted a WERA high frequency oceanographic radar workshop to discuss “first ever” real-time data that detected tsunami waves when Typhoon Songda hit the west coast of Canada in October 2016, triggering a tsunami alert on the WERA system.

The storm caused Tofino’s Emergency Program Coordinator Keith Orchiston to close beaches in the famous surfing location. “It is always a hard decision to close beaches, but that day we decided to play it safe. Real-time data from an instrument like the WERA radar (Figure 1) would support critical and lifesaving decision making for coastal communities.”

Installed at Tofino airport in 2015, the WERA (WavE RAdar) high frequency oceanographic radar array (Figure 2) is a shore-based remote sensing system that includes four transmitting and 12 receiving antennas that monitor ocean current speed in real-time.

The system is capable of detecting large events, storm surges and tsunamis up to 80 kilometres from shore, which could provide up to 20 minutes of advanced warning of an incoming tsunami.

Figure 2. ONC’s high frequency oceanographic WERA array at Tofino airport.

Bringing together participants from across the globe, the workshop focused on the capabilities of this technology and the different data that can be analyzed for public and marine safety. Participating institutions included the University of Hamburg in Germany, NOAA’s National Weather Service, Memorial University, Maine Sciences Institute of Rimouski, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Institute of Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria. Presentations of the data and algorithms, on the system capabilities and potential uses, and ONC’s growing infrastructure and facilities resulted informative and productive discussions.

A new real-time tsunami detection algorithm was also evaluated by tsunamis experts at the University of Rhode Island, USA and University of Toulouse, France. Combining tsunami physics with radar measurements this algorithm provides a solution adapted for this critical west coast site. The use of two algorithms simultaneously provide redundancy and improves the robustness of the detection.

As a result of this workshop, a working group was formed to study WERA high frequency data from these types of events. The working group will meet at the International Summer School on Radio-oceanography in France, August 2017 and again at the International Radiowave Oceanography Workshop in Germany, September 2017. Additional planned collaboration will also take place with researchers from Japan, Philippines, Chile, and the Netherlands, who have previously detected tsunami signals using WERA radar.

“Real-time detection of hazards with instruments such as the WERA can provide alerts to coastal community when minutes count. Alerts based on these systems can provide valuable advice for safe navigation in the area and save lives in event such as Meteotsunamis”, says Tania Insua, ONC’s ocean analytics program manager.

Figure 4. WERA high frequency radar in Tofino, British Columbia. This innovative remote sensing device is developed in collaboration between ONC, Helzel Messtechnik (Germany) and Canadian companies Northern Radar Inc. (St. John’s) and ASL Environmental Sciences (Victoria, BC)..

ONC’s Tofino WERA array (Figure 4) is just one of several other kinds of oceanographic radars⎯such as coastal oceanic dynamics applications radar (CODAR) and WaMoS (Wave Monitoring System)⎯installed in the Strait of Georgia and along the British Columbia coast (Figure 5). These land–based detection systems form part of ONC’s Smart Ocean™ Systems, a program that provides technology solutions for marine and public safety as well as environmental monitoring in real-time. The program is designed to provide alerts and preparedness tools to government agencies and municipalities for public and marine safety.

Figure 5. Map showing ONC’s Southern British Columbia infrastructure including oceanographic radar locations.

Presentations from the June workshop are listed below.