Instrumental detection
- Accelerographs and seismometers with real-time transmission
- Volcanic sensors: gases, deformation, temperature
- Weather stations for data correlation
- Configurable thresholds by type of phenomenon and zone
Early warning system for earthquakes and volcanoes
Automatic instrumental detection, siren activation and redundant communications managed from COMSIR, integrated with national Civil Protection bodies and international seismic monitoring platforms.
< 10 s From validated seismic event to sirens sounding
6 countries With early warning networks
Earthquake → Tsunami Unified system for cascading threats
Multichannel Radio · IP · mobile network · VSAT
Overview
What do we solve with an earthquake and volcano warning system?
Seismic and volcanic risk gives no warning: it just happens. The difference between an effective warning system and none at all is measured in seconds. We design and deploy end-to-end instrumental detection, automatic activation and audible public warning systems for authorities, Civil Protection bodies and critical infrastructure operators in at-risk areas.
Decision and automation
- Automatic signal validation in COMSIR and iDam
- Autonomous flow: monitoring → pre-alert → activation
- Compatible with the IGN, Civil Protection and coordination centres
- Escalation to official bodies via standard API
Public warning
- High-power electronic sirens in exposed areas
- Pre-recorded voice messages and standard tones
- LED information panels for public spaces
- Remote, local or automatic threshold-based activation
Redundancy and autonomy
- Hybrid communications: PMR/DMR radio, mobile network and VSAT
- Mains or solar photovoltaic power with backup batteries: 3+ days of autonomy
- Guaranteed operation if terrestrial connectivity fails
- Complete log of events, tests and drills
Operational context
Why do earthquakes and volcanoes demand automatic, redundant systems?
An earthquake of sufficient magnitude can trigger cascading effects within seconds: structural collapse, landslides, infrastructure failure and, in coastal areas, a tsunami. Volcanic activity can develop gradually or accelerate without warning, with lava flows, lahars, gas emissions or falling pyroclasts.
In both cases, the time available to issue an effective warning is extremely short. The full cycle —detection, validation, activation and warning— must run automatically, without depending on manual intervention at the critical moment. Redundant communications and energy autonomy are not options: they are design requirements.
Technology involved
Typical system components
Electronic sirens
High-power omnidirectional output with multilingual voice messages. Rugged outdoor design with remote or automatic activation.
Activators and control centres
Local, remote or automatic activation. Fixed and mobile units with solar power and encrypted communication.
COMSIR software
Web SCADA for remote control, supervision and the emergency plan. Integration with the IGN, 112 and coordination centres via API.
Operational benefits
Seismic warning technology proven in real environments
Over 20 years deploying systems in areas where an effective alarm makes all the difference. In-house siren manufacturing, our own software and full technical support: from preliminary design to operational maintenance.
Activation within 10 seconds of validation
Acoustic study and coverage design by area
Integration with the IGN, Civil Protection and national agencies
Standardised test protocols and drills
Full traceability for audits and Civil Protection
3+ days' autonomy. Redundant multi-channel communications.
International experience
Coastal warning systems deployed
Technology active in coastal networks in Spain, Chile and Peru, working with national emergency management agencies.
Spain · Cádiz
Tsunami acoustic warning — Chipiona
4 electronic sirens integrated with the municipal CECOP and 112 Andalusia via RESTful API. A UNESCO Tsunami Ready municipality. Validated in the provincial drill of November 2025.
Chile · Pacific
National tsunami warning system — ONEMI
High-power electronic sirens in 5 coastal regions with integrated cameras and weather stations. Lafcarr is also bidding in the tender for the national 1,029-siren system coordinated by SENAPRED (2026).
Peru · Lima
SMAST — Jorge Chávez International Airport
Earthquake and Tsunami Monitoring and Alarm System deployed at a top-tier critical airport, in an area of high seismic and coastal risk in the South Pacific.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about seismic and volcanic warning systems
We answer the questions most often raised by authorities, Civil Protection bodies, engineering firms and infrastructure operators at the design or tender stage.
Can the system activate automatically without human intervention?
Yes, where the national or regional plan or the operating protocol approved for the site expressly provides for it: the system can be configured so that, when certain seismic or volcanic thresholds are exceeded, it automatically activates the sirens and public warning according to that protocol. The operator can step in at any time to confirm, modify or cancel an activation within the set protocol times.
Can it integrate with the IGN or other seismological monitoring bodies?
Yes. COMSIR includes RESTful API connectors and standard protocols (OPC, IEC-104, MODBUS) for integration with Spain's National Geographic Institute (IGN), Civil Protection coordination centres and equivalent official platforms in other countries. In volcanic areas it can also connect to dedicated monitoring networks such as the IGC in the Canary Islands.
What happens if the power grid or main communications fail during an event?
The system runs on redundant parallel communications: PMR/DMR radio, mobile network and VSAT. Losing one medium does not interrupt operation. Each node has mains or solar photovoltaic power with backup batteries giving more than 3 days of autonomy, ensuring operation even during a total power cut.
Is the solution scalable to cover larger territories?
Yes. The architecture is built to grow without changing the base system: a municipal pilot can expand into a county, regional or national network. Every new node joins the same control centre and the same traceability and operating framework.
Is the earthquake system compatible with the tsunami system?
Yes. Since an undersea earthquake of sufficient magnitude can trigger a tsunami, both systems share siren infrastructure, communications and control centres. Lafcarr has a dedicated tsunami solution (SMAST) that can be integrated with the seismic system in a single management and activation framework.
Technical advice
Does your organisation need an earthquake or volcano early warning system?
We work with authorities, Civil Protection bodies and critical infrastructure operators to design and deploy complete solutions: from the preliminary technical design to commissioning, regulatory integration and operational maintenance.