Sanny Jegillos, program coordinator for the UNDP's regional center in Bangkok, rates the Indian Ocean early tsunami warning systems as superior to those of the Pacific in terms of earthquake monitoring and detection.

CNN: Asian tsunami warning system: A last-mile challenge

Indonesia's government has improved its monitoring of earthquake data since then by positioning buoys to take sea-level readings and warn of potential tsunamis.

WSJ: Southeast Asia Tsunami Alert Lowered

South Korean, U.S. and Japanese seismic monitoring agencies said they detected an earthquake in North Korea with a magnitude between 4.9 and 5.2.

NPR: Obama Calls NKorea Nuke Test 'Highly Provocative'

He said monitoring apparatus didn't record an earthquake and formation of magma, which usually precede an eruption.

WSJ: Philippines Volcano Spews Ash, Kills 5

Other reports to be cut include monitoring the use of waste tyres, and a monthly check on the effects of an earthquake 20 years ago.

BBC: California's Jerry Brown ends 'unnecessary' briefings