Software connects disaster guarding sensors to supercomputers

AMSTERDAM – Technology developed at the University of Amsterdam is being installed to monitor volcanoes, dikes and bridges throughout Europe for impending disasters. The sensors submit warning signals to central supercomputers designed to rapidly calculate appropriate responses and alert emergency agencies to action. The order was placed by the European Union for a three-year trial run. Dikes equipped with sensors are nothing new in the Netherlands, where tests have been run in a dike in Bellingwoude. The sensors monitor the dike’s ability to withstand high water levels and sends out distress signals if danger develops. New software connects the sensors to the computers which are able to turn out disaster scenarios for emergy agencies. Dutch diking districts are now considering new ways of monitoring river dikes, which currently are patrolled by guards, once rising water reaches emergency levels.