CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to prescribe matters necessary for the observation and warning of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions to protect the life and property of the people from earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.
Article 2(Definitions) #
The terms used in this Act are defined as follows:
1. The term "earthquake" means a natural earthquake that sent tremors through the ground as the seismic waves caused by the rapid movement within the Earth reaches the Earth's surface and an artificial earthquake from a nuclear test explosion, large-scale explosion, etc. that shakes the ground;
2. The term "tsunami" means a phenomenon in which a very long wavelength of seawater caused by a sudden crustal movement, such as an earthquake, volcanic eruption, etc., sub-sea rises abnormally high and reaches the seashore;
3. The term "volcanic eruption" means a phenomenon in which magma existing deep underground erupts through or near the Earth's surface and thus volcanic ash, volcanic gases, etc. are released;
4. The term "observation of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions" means the observation and measurement of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions using scientific methods;
5. The term "warning of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions" means promptly notifying the public of information on earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions if a disaster therefrom is anticipated;
6. The term "observatory" means a place in which observation devices necessary for performing the duties of observation of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions are installed;
7. The term "observation network" means a system consisting of a combination of many observatories to observe earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions, which observes, collects, transmits, receives, or analyzes information on earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.