Integration with:
- Tide gauge sensors and level buoys
- Seismological stations and coastal accelerometers
- Continuous transmission: IP, radio and satellite
Tsunami early warning system (SMAST)
Coastal siren networks, tide gauge sensors and redundant communications controlled from COMSIR, compliant with UNESCO-IOC and the CAP protocol and integrated with national Civil Protection bodies.
+850 Electronic sirens in operation
COMSIR In-house software specialised in early warning systems
Redundant communications PMR/DMR radio, TETRA, satellite and mobile network
CAP protocol Compatible with the Common Alerting Protocol
Overview
What do we solve with a coastal tsunami warning system?
We design and deploy complete detection, activation and audible public warning systems for coastal authorities, Civil Protection bodies and critical infrastructure operators exposed to tsunamis and marine seismic events.
Decision and automation
- Automatic signal validation in COMSIR
- Automatic flow: monitoring → pre-alert → activation
- Escalation to official coordination centres via API
- Configurable thresholds by zone and risk scenario
Public warning
- High-power electronic sirens along the coast
- Multilingual voice messages and standard tones
- Coastal LED panels and warning beacons
- Remote, local or automatic activation from the control centre
Redundancy and autonomy
- Hybrid communications: PMR/DMR radio, mobile network and VSAT
- Redundant power systems
- Guaranteed operation if terrestrial connectivity fails
- Complete log of events, tests and drills
System architecture
Earthquake and tsunami monitoring and alarm system (SMAST) diagram
Technical diagram of the integrated coastal detection, automatic activation and audible public warning system for tsunamis.
Technology involved
Typical components of a SMAST system
Electronic sirens
High-power omnidirectional output with multilingual voice messages. Rugged marine 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 and supervision of the coastal network. API integration.
Coastal sensors and telemetry
Tide gauges, seismometers and weather stations with real-time transmission over IP, radio, mobile network or VSAT.
Operational benefits
Coastal 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 stretch of coast
Integration with Civil Protection and national agencies
Standardised test protocols and drills
Full traceability for audits and insurers
Backup and autonomy without mains power. 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 tsunami warning systems
We answer the questions most often raised by coastal authorities, Civil Protection bodies, engineering firms and infrastructure operators at the design or tender stage.
Can the system integrate with national platforms such as SHOA, SENAPRED or 112?
Yes. COMSIR includes native RESTful API connectors for integration with 112, ES-Alert, SENAPRED, SHOA and other emergency coordination centres. The systems deployed in Chile are integrated with ONEMI and SHOA through standard protocols (OPC, IEC-104, MODBUS), ensuring full interoperability with national tsunami management platforms.
What happens if the power supply or main communication fails during an event?
The system runs on redundant parallel communications: PMR/DMR radio, mobile network and VSAT. Losing one medium does not stop commands being sent. Each coastal node has solar power with backup batteries and at least 72 hours of autonomy without any external power source, ensuring operation even during a total blackout.
How quickly can the siren network be activated after an event is detected?
The system is designed to activate the entire siren network in under 10 seconds from the automatic validation of the event in COMSIR. This includes receiving the sensor signal, automatic threshold evaluation and sending the activation command to every coastal node at the same time.
Is the solution scalable to cover longer coastlines or larger territories?
Yes. The architecture is built to grow: a municipal pilot can expand into a regional or national coastal network without changing the base architecture. Every new node joins the same control centre and traceability framework. The national system Lafcarr proposes for Chile follows this principle with 1,029 sirens across the country's 16 regions.
How are periodic tests and official drills handled?
The system includes standardised automatic test protocols: periodic checks of communications and equipment status, and full activation drills. All tests are logged with a checklist, records and evidence in COMSIR/iDam, available for official audits or UNESCO Tsunami Ready certification.
Technical advice
Does your organisation need a tsunami early warning system?
We work with coastal 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.
Do you have an environment
to protect?
Every situation needs a system tailored to the
risk, the environment and the regulations. Tell us about your
case: we'll design a functional,
scalable and fully compliant solution.