Eigth session of PTWS WG 2 on Tsunami Detection, Warning and Dissemination; Task Team Seismic Data Sharing in the Southwest Pacific

8th Session of the PTWS Working Group 2: Tsunami Detection, Warning and Dissemination; Task Team Seismic Data Sharing in the Southwest Pacific

The 8th session of the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (PTWS) Working Group 2 Task Team on Seismic Data Sharing in the Southwest Pacific was hosted by the Government of Tonga through the Tonga Geological Service (TGS) and Tonga Meteorological Service (TMS) on 20th October, 2022 at the Tanoa Dateline International Hotel, Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

Figure 1: Group Photo at Tanoa Dateline International Hotel, Nuku'alofa, Tonga

In opening the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer for Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ms. Rosamond Bing, stated “The meeting this week provides an opportunity for us to engage with our partners and share experiences to ensure we are better prepared prior to and during disaster events. It’s important that our multi-hazard early warning systems work and let’s work together to address our challenges. Most importantly to ensure the people receive the warnings and know what to do” Rosamond also stressed the importance of being resilient and shared her experience during Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai eruption.

The Chair for the Oceania Regional Seismic Network (ORSNET), Ms. Esline Garaebiti, also made reference to the importance of improving preparedness and the need to strengthen our seismic monitoring and detection capability. “It’s critical that we build on our national operational capacity through exchange of data, share resources such human, finance and equipment, and exchange our expertise as a region. The Covid-19 period presented some challenges that we have overcome by maintaining our network through virtual communication and it’s great that we are able to meet in-person at this meeting after 3 years. Our seismic stations and early warning systems must always be operational so that our communities and people receive the warnings as quickly as possible to better prepare themselves”.

The meeting identified ongoing challenges and opportunities among PICT on seismic data sharing to improve detection of earthquakes and tsunami generated in the Southwest Pacific. The remote locality of seismometers exposes them to irregular maintenance visits, vandalism including impacts of natural disasters such as tropical cyclones and geohazards. The exchanges and discussions between member states highlighted remedial actions including regular station visits and empowering local communities on the significance earthquake and tsunami alerts in protecting lives and livelihoods and having agreements in place to safeguard national early warning infrastructure.

Member States were reminded on the importance of securing government consent on “The ORSNET Data Sharing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)” to formalize seismic data sharing between ORSNET member states. Member States were encouraged to have their MOA approved for signing by their respective government before the next Task Team Meeting. This is critical to the ongoing and future work on strengthening the Southwest Pacific Region of the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (PTWS).

The meeting culminated in the re-connection of Tonga’s National Seismic Network to ORSNET regional server since their failure in 2016 following the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Winston. Simply, seismic activity observations along the Tonga Trench is now improved after seven years. Six seismic stations from Tonga are currently streaming data to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC), ORSNET and National Earthquake Information Centre (NEIC) of USGS.

Figure 2: Six Seismic Stations in Tonga connected to ORSNET

The meeting recommendations will be tabled at the 30th Session of ICG/PTWS in 2023 that includes the following:
- Facilitate the open sharing of seismic data by ORSNET members to harness the benefit of seismic data centres and services like the International Federation of Digital Seismograph Networks (FDSN) and help contribute towards the achievement of the Ocean Decade Goals;
- Encourage partners and countries to collaborate and share seismic data in order to improve tsunami early warning;
- Endorse the 7th ORSNET Meeting Outcomes;
- Re-election of Mr. Rennie VAIOMOUNGA (Tonga) as Chair and Mr. Mathew Moihoi (PNG) as Vice Chair;
- Learning from the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai event, develop guidelines for requesting post event technical assistance to include:
     * The assessment of tsunami warning capability;
     * Harmonisation with disaster management protocols for the deployment of goods, personnel and services; and
     * Development of National Post-Tsunami Field Survey Guide for PICTs.

The meeting was held following the 7th Annual Meeting of the Oceania Regional Seismic Network (ORSNET) to discuss their national and regional seismic network and how it can be further strengthened to improve multi-hazard early warning and preparedness from 17th -19th October, 2022. A Learning Event on Hunga Tonga - Hunga Ha'apai Experience was held October 21, 2022.  The Tonga Meteorological Services and Tonga National Emergency Management Office shared their warning and response activities and lessons learned.  Additionally, the Tonga Post-Tsunami Field Survey Summary Report, compiled by Dr. Jose Borrero with support from the ITIC/IOC and SPC, were presented to the Government of Tonga.

The meeting was attended by 43 participants from 12 countries including representatives from Australia Fiji, French Polynesia, Japan, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, USA and Vanuatu and representatives from the Pacific Community (SPC) and UNESCO/IOC. The next meeting is planned to be held close to the 30th session of ICG/PTWS in 2023. These series of meetings eventuated through the collaboration and support of The Pacific Community (SPC), UNESCO/IOC and our host the Government of Tonga.