Govt body examining need for Irish tsunami warning system

The Geological Survey of Ireland is reportedly examining the possibility of putting a tsunami warning system in place around the Irish coast.

Reports this morning said the Government agency believed the probability of a tsunami was very low, but precautions had to be taken in the wake of the Indian Ocean disaster just over a year ago.

The main tsunami threat to Ireland is posed by a volcano on the Canary Islands that could slide into the sea and cause a massive tidal wave.

There are also concerns that a huge sediment build-up off the west coast could collapse and push the sea inland.

This morning's reports said the GSI wanted Ireland to prepare for these possibilities by becoming part of a tsunami warning system that UNESCO is planning to establish in the north-east Atlantic in the coming years.