12 Jan 2009

China provides earthquake monitoring equipment to Samoa

11:23 am on 12 January 2009

Samoa's ability to monitor earthquakes is getting a boost thanks to an agreement signed with China last week to implement an earthquake monitoring network project.

Over the next three years, China will provide three fixed earthquake monitioring stations, an earthquake data processing center, three sets of mobile station monitoring apparatus and satellite transmission equipment.

The satelite equipment will transfer data collected from the earthquake monitoring stations to Apia in real time.

Staff training will also be provided.

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Faumuina Liuga, says the project will improve Samoa's capability to monitor seismic activity, identify the country's vulnerability to earthquakes and enhance planning and response to earthquakes.

Faumuina signed the agreement on behalf of Samoa while Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Fu Ziying signed on behalf of his government.