Government has applied for Planning permission for an infrasound monitoring station to detect nuclear explosions, hurricanes and tsunamis.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) Preparatory Commission has picked Bermuda as the latest location for its global alarm system to uphold the United Nations 1996 ban on nuclear testing.

The IS51 infrasound monitoring station will form part of the International Monitoring System (IMS) — a 'spider web' of 337 scientific facilities to detect shock waves and movement from man-made sources and natural phenomena. It will therefore also help in the detection of hurricanes and tsunamis.

The IMS transmits data 24 hours a day to the International Data Centre in Vienna, where it is redistributed in information around the world. As well as detecting shock waves from nuclear explosions in the oceans, atmosphere and underground, it can also locate radioactive debris in the atmosphere.

If Planning permission is granted, the Bermuda facility will be built at five different sites near LF Wade International Airport. Completion is scheduled for August at a cost of $966,811.

CTBTO spokeswoman Annika Thunborg has said 'IS51' will be constructed by the University of Mississippi and then operated by the Bermuda Weather Service. The agent for the project is Woodbourne Associates and the CTBTO will absorb the costs.

"This facility is extremely important," said Dr. Thunborg. "The station in Bermuda will cover a significant area and will help us to get global coverage. We find we can pick up waves and movement in the atmosphere very well on islands in the ocean."

In a letter to Planning, the Chief Surveyor of Ministry of Works and Engineering's Lands, Buildings and Surveys Estates section, said: "The role of Bermuda in the Global Infrasound Network is essential, since the station will be in a key position for the monitoring of the Northern and Central Atlantic region.

"The CTBTO is to be fully responsible for the construction, maintenance, repairing and monitoring of the equipment during their tenure, as well as all costs associated with these responsibilities, and removal of the equipment on vacation."

The Bermuda facility will use microbarographs (acoustic pressure sensors) to detect low-frequency sound waves in the atmosphere, using four sensors 1 to 3 km apart. These infrasonic stations will be situated at Blue Hole Hill Park, the Government Quarry, Airport Dump and Airport Finger. They will consist of antenna array set at ground level, a small battery house with solar panels and an aerial for transmitting information. The signals will then be picked up by the central recording facility, an antenna base and 2.4 metre satellite dish to be built at the Bermuda Weather Station.