Faculty members and students from the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in Las Piñas have created a groundbreaking device designed to detect tsunamis and storm surges. The device, named Project DAGAT, which stands for Deploying Acoustic Guardians: Advanced Tsunami Detection, represents a significant technological advancement in the Philippines and has taken two and a half years to develop.
According to Dr. Lorena Ilagan, the project leader, the initiative was inspired by the devastating impact of the Yolanda disaster. “Our initial project focus is disaster mitigation, specifically tsunami detection,” Ilagan noted, emphasizing the urgent need for community safety enhancements.
The device includes a tsunameter as its primary unit, equipped with two sensor units that utilize artificial intelligence. “The tsunameter serves as the main platform, housing two sensors: pressure and accelerometer. Both sensors are also capable of artificial intelligence,” Ilagan explained.
The data collected by the tsunameter is transmitted in real time to a database through advanced nano-satellite and terrestrial communication systems. Currently, Project DAGAT is in its initial phase and is undergoing pilot testing in Cavite.
Though the device is designed to be submerged as deep as 100 meters and positioned two kilometers offshore, initial tests were conducted at a shallower depth of 30 meters. The project aims to provide timely warnings that could save lives and mitigate damage from natural disasters.
