Climatological, Oceanographic and Geophysical
Services

Climatological information finds applications in activities ranging from
recreation through engineering design and environmental impact analysis
to litigation. To meet the demand for such information, the Hong Kong
Observatory operates a climatological information service on a
cost-recovery basis. The data available include land and upper-air
observations from Hong Kong and neighbouring countries, marine
weather observations from voluntary observing ships, and tidal
observations.

The Observatory produces an annual tide table for Hong Kong. It also
provides assessments of the probabilities of occurrence of extreme storm
surges and waves and its advice on oceanographic matters is often sought
by other government departments and the engineering community.

To monitor earthquake activities in the vicinity of Hong Kong, the
Observatory operates a network of eight short-period seismograph
stations. Long-period seismographs at the Observatory's headquarters
detect tremors world-wide and information on significant tremors is made
public through the media. In addition, three strong motion accelerographs
were installed on different geological sites. On average, Hong Kong
experiences two to three minor earth tremors every year. Seismic data are
used by structural engineers in building design, and by local and overseas
scientific institutions.

The Hong Kong Time Standard is provided by a caesium beam atomic
clock. Accuracy within fractions of a microsecond a day is maintained.
A six-pip time signal is sent to Radio Television Hong Kong for broadcast
at quarter-hour intervals.

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