Fiji’s Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources has deployed a team of four to carry out upgrading works at the Tailevu VSAT Station in Nasinu Village, Dawasamu.
The Ministry had purchased and upgraded VSATS for Tailevu and five other stations – valued at $680,000.
The six Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATS) acquired by the Ministry is anticipated to enable the Seismology Section to analyse, verify, research and provide accurate and timely earthquake information.
Ministry permanent secretary Dr Raijieli Taga said the first team was deployed on August 31 (2021) for Tailevu, and the installation of the remaining five to follow upon the completion of the Tailevu Seismic Station.
She said they hoped to complete the Tailevu Station upgrade by September 14, 2021.
“The VSAT Station Upgrading Equipment from Nanometrics Incorporated in Canada arrived in the country and was verified on 14th June 2021, followed by a virtual training of the Seismology Technical Team,” Ms Taga was quoted saying in a Government statement.
The Ministry was allocated $680,000 to purchase the upgraded version of the six seismic stations in the 2020/2021 National Financial Year.
The Fiji VSAT Seismic Network was introduced in 2003 and has been operating in the country for more than 10 years, the ministry stated.
The six VSAT Seismic Stations are strategically located in Dogotuki (Macuata), Taveuni (Cakaudrove), Kadavu, Yasawa, Lakeba (lau) and Tailevu – and it ensured the detection of all seismic events in Fiji and contributes to the Oceania Regional Seismic Network (ORSNET).
