The geowarn system

The Global Emergency Observation Warning and Relief Network (GEOWARN) is a system that can provide a mechanism for the timely processing of information both before and after an event has occurred. The GEOWARN system complements the activities of existing international and national disaster management and meteorological agencies as well as local government and private response organizations. The objective of the GEOWARN system is to use existing technology to provide a global disaster warning and relief support service. The core of the system is a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites which monitor vulnerable areas of the earth and a global network of computing facilities that analyze the images and provide timely warning of impending disasters.

This system utilizes existing remote sensing resources augmented by additional satellites and airborne sensor platforms linked together via a computer network. It is configured around five control centers called Multi-National Centers to perform the task of providing global disaster warning and relief support.

The four primary functions of the GEOWARN system include data collection, data processing and management, information distribution, and communication support. Data collection is provided via space-based, airborne and ground-based remote sensing platforms. The data processing and data management elements include geographical information systems, simulations of hazard phenomena and databases. The usable information is transmitted to the appropriate government and private management agencies. The GEOWARN system provides value information to disaster management officials to support preparedness, warning and relief activities.

There are many immediate benefits of the GEOWARN system. The most significant is that it saves lives and reduces human suffering throughout the world. It reduces the extent of damage through preparations that is made with adequate warnings or more efficient disaster response activities.

The development of a global disaster warning system is considered as one of the most promising peaceful applications of space technology. It is evident that much of the technology that is used for scientific investigation of the Earth's environment and global communications can be applied directly to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters on humanity worldwide.

The GEOWARN system is a concept that integrates current remote sensing, data management and communication technologies. It provides disaster warnings and aids in disaster response on a global scale.

The GEOWARN system was originally developed at the 1993 Summer Session of the International Space University hosted in Huntsville, Alabama, USA. During the ten weeks of intensive interdisciplinary space studies the international student body, comprising 100 graduate and post-graduate level students from 30 countries, engaged in the development of two student design projects. GEOWARN was one of the design projects and was supported by 38 students from 16 countries in America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

The primary motivation for the GEOWARN project was a clear need to provide warning and relief support to the countries and regions of the world.

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