US embassy cable - 05ABUDHABI4111

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 004111 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/RA, AND OES/ENV 
AMMAN FOR JWHITTLESEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV, KSCA, ECON, EPET, ETRD, TC 
SUBJECT: ENCOURAGING A NATIONAL SEISMIC NETWORK FOR UAE 
 
1. (U) Two Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) 
seismologists, Dr. Keith Nakanishi and Dr. Arthur Rodgers, 
visited the UAE on September 13 and 14 in coordination with a 
planning meeting for the 2006 Gulf Seismic Forum that will be 
hosted in Oman. The two seismologists have been working with 
UAE University and the UAE government to encourage them to 
set up a national seismic network with a research center at 
the university. 
 
2. (U) Dr. Nakanishi and Dr. Rodgers met with UAE 
University's Vice-Provost, Dr. Hadef Al-Dhahiri, Ministry of 
Interior UnderSecretary Major General Saif Al Shafar, 
Ministry of Communications Consultant Dr. Amin Karaien in the 
Meteorology Department, and Department of Civil Defense 
Director General Mohamed Al Amri. All the interlocutors 
expressed interest and desire in setting up a national 
seismic network, particularly in the wake of the Indian Ocean 
tsunami. However, all explained that they did not have 
guidance on which agency would have the lead role in setting 
up a network. The Meteorology Department of the Ministry of 
Communications receives early warning information on tsunami 
activity from the Japanese Meteorological Society, but there 
is no system of in-country seismic monitors. The 
interlocutors all gave differing advice on the lead authority 
for the project, ranging from the Ministry of Energy to the 
Ministry of Communications to the military. There is no 
clear agency or ministry which has the authority to act on 
such a project. 
 
3. (U) In order for the project to move forward, the UAEG 
will need to decide on a clear lead authority for such a 
network that has the authority to operate seismic monitoring 
equipment in each of the emirates. Additionally, the 
government will likely need to authorize a lead research 
authority (probably UAE University) to collect and analyze 
the data. (Note: LLNL is prepared to offer academic and 
research assistance for the network). An experimental two 
station deployment in 2003 showed some small local events, as 
well as recording major events such as the Bam earthquake, 
but these two stations were not enough for proper 
triangulation of the location of such seismic activity. If 
setting up a national seismic network becomes more visible to 
UAE leaders, they will have the authority to direct a 
specific ministry to act -- likely the only way a national 
seismic network will ever become reality. 
 
4. (U) This message has been cleared by Dr. Nakanishi and Dr. 
Rodgers. 
SISON