TT CARIBE WAVE

UNESCO-IOC Expert Meeting in Vanuatu on Tsunami Sources, Hazards, Risk and Uncertainties Associated with the Subduction Zones of the Region

2024-05-24T06:08:56+00:00

A hybrid UNESCO-IOC Expert Meeting on Tsunami Sources, Hazards, Risk and Uncertainties Associated with Vanuatu, San Cristobal and New Britain Subduction Zones took place in Port Vila, Vanuatu during 14-17 May 2024 in close coordination with the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazard Department (VMGD), bringing together 23 experts (14 in-person/9 virtual) and 7 observers (6 in-person/1 virtual) from 10 Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/PTWS) Member States (Australia, France, Fiji, Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, USA and Vanuatu). The purpose of this Expert Meeting was to quantify earthquake sources that can generate dangerous tsunamis and to directly support community hazard assessments and evacuation planning that are part of the implementation of the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme in the Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs).

PTWC Procedures and PTWS Products for Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha`apai Volcanic Tsunami Hazard Response

2024-01-23T16:59:52+00:00

The massive explosion of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai (HTHH) volcano in Tonga on 15 January 2022, which generated a tsunami causing widespread damage locally, regionally and throughout the Pacific, was an unprecedented event not only for the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) but also for all Tsunami Warning Centers whose warning procedures and products were designed for earthquake-generated tsunamis, accounting for almost 90% of past tsunami events worldwide.

The impact of the HTHH volcanic explosion and tsunami has led the Intergovernmental Coordination Group (ICG) for the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (PTWS) in 2022 to establish a Task Team on Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai (HTHH) Volcano Tsunami Hazard Response to address the possibility of future tsunamis originating from additional volcanic eruptions or associated processes at the HTHH. The Task Team prepared an Interim Volcanic Tsunami Alert Procedures Implementation Plan with a focus on the HTHH Interim Products and Procedures for responding to the possibility of future tsunamis originating from additional volcanic eruptions or associated processes at the HTHH. In September 2023, the ICG/PTWS at its thirtieth session (Nuku’alofa, Tonga) decided to establish the permanent HTHH monitoring and warning procedures based on the interim products and procedures in use by PTWC since March 2022. This permanent PTWC Procedures and PTWS Products User’s Guide (Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha`apai Volcanic Tsunami Hazard Response) is now available as IOC Technical Series, n° 188.

Estimated tsunami travel times from HTHH across the Pacific with emphasis on the first 6 hours corresponding to the initial areal extent of the threat following the detection of potentially hazardous tsunami waves on the nearest sea level gauge(s). Smaller triangles are coastal sea level gauges and the larger triangles are deep-ocean pressure gauges.

South China Sea Region

2020-04-24T09:47:00+00:00

Working Group Seven: Regional Working Group on Tsunami Warning and Mitigation in the South China Sea Region

Objectives:

1. To evaluate capabilities of countries in the South China Sea Region for providing end-to-end tsunami warning and mitigation services,

2. To ascertain requirements from countries in the South China Sea for the tsunami warning and mitigation services,

3. To promote and facilitate tsunami hazard and risk studies in the region,

4. To facilitate cooperation in the establishment and upgrading of seismic and sea level stations and networks and communication systems in the region,

5. To facilitate improvement of the education programs on tsunami mitigation in the region,

6. To facilitate capacity building and the sharing of tsunami information in the region, including the free and open exchange of data.

Composition:

The Group will be composed of members nominated by Member States in the region with a chairperson and a vice-chairperson to be elected.

Membership:

Representatives of TWFPs and TNCs of Member States

Regional Working Group on Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System in the South China Sea Region - Chair Mr Dakui Wang (China), Vice-Chair Ms Suci Anugrah (Indonesia)

The following applies for all working groups:

Languages: English, Spanish and French

Meetings: Meet intersessionally.

Coordinator and Elections: Follow the rules of procedures applying to IOC Subsidiary Bodies. Chair and at least one vice chair who will be elected either by the ICG/PTWS or the members of the working group for two years with possible reelection of one term in the same position.

Members and appointment: Nominated by member states in accordance with the rules of procedures applying to IOC Subsidiary bodies. Technical experts can be invited at the discretion of the Chair.

Calendar of Intersessional work should be determined by the working group at the working group meeting and included in the report.

Duration of the WG: Two years.

Reports: A final report has to be submitted two months before the parent body meeting and for each working group meeting within the two following months.

Financial resources: At national expense.

Amendments: As warranted by the working groups.

WG-South China Sea Region

Pacific Island Countries and Territories

2020-04-24T09:43:49+00:00

Working Group 6: Regional Working Group on Tsunami Warning and Mitigation for Pacific Island Countries and Territories (ICG/PTWS WG PICT)

Terms of Reference:

1. To continually review and evaluate capabilities of and make recommendations for improvements to countries in the Pacific Islands and Territories (PICT) Region for providing end to-end tsunami warning and mitigation services.

2. To support the involvement and contribution of PICT countries in the activities of the ICG/PTWS.

3. To promote and facilitate the tsunami hazard and risk studies in the PICT region.

4. To facilitate cooperation in the establishment and upgrading of seismic and sea level stations and networks in the region, and the interoperability of these systems in accordance with ICG/PTWS requirements.

5. To facilitate training and capacity building in the end to end tsunami warning and mitigation system in the region.

6. To encourage the sharing of tsunami information, including but not limited to the free and open exchange of data.

7. To facilitate tsunami awareness in school curricula, and development and dissemination of public educational materials.

8. To work in cooperation with PTWS Working Group 2 & 3, and relevant task teams especially on activities that strengthen country capacity in tsunami warning, risk mitigation & emergency response.

Composition:

The Group to be comprised of representatives from Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) as members, Council of Regional Organizations in the Pacific (CROP) Agencies and WMO Regional Association V (RAV) as observers with Chair and Vice Chair to be elected by the members of the Working Group and endorsed by the ICG/PTWS.

Membership:

Regional Working Group on Tsunami Warning and Mitigation for Pacific Island Countries and Territories (ICG/PTWS WG PICT) - Chair Mrs Esline Garaebiti (Vanuatu), Vice-Chair Mr Mathew Moihoi (Papua New Guinea)

The following applies for all working groups:

Languages: English, Spanish and French

Meetings: Meet intersessionally.

Members and appointment: Nominated by member states in accordance with the rules of procedures applying to IOC Subsidiary bodies. Technical experts can be invited at the discretion of the Chair.

Calendar of Intersessional work should be determined by the working group at the working group meeting and included in the report.

Duration of the WG: Two years.

Reports: A final report has to be submitted two months before the parent body meeting and for each working group meeting within the two following months.

Financial resources: At national expense.

Amendments: As warranted by the working groups.

WG-Pacific Island Countries and Territories

WG-Central American Pacific Coast

2020-04-24T09:36:23+00:00

Propósito: Para ayudar al Grupo de Trabajo de América Central en el establecimiento de CATAC hasta que tenga la capacidad de proporcionar un servicio operacional.

Mandato: Bajo la dirección del GCI/PTWS-WG-CA, el equipo de trabajo deberá fortalecer la coordinación y cooperación entre los países de América Central para establecer CATAC:

• Elaborar directrices de capacidad e indicadores de rendimiento para CATAC.

• Explorar formas para facilitar la difusión y el intercambio de datos e información pertinentes necesarios para el establecimiento de CATAC.

• Consultar con los Puntos focales de alerta contra los tsunamis, los Centros nacionales de alerta contra los tsunamis y Contactos nacionales sobre tsunamis de la región centroamericana para determinar los requisitos apropiados para los servicios de tsunami.

• Desarrollar los Procedimientos normalizados de operaciones (SOPs) y el contenido de los servicios de tsunami para CATAC.

• Identificar las posibles necesidades de recursos para el establecimiento de CATAC.

• Mantener contacto con el PTWC y NWPTAC (JMA) para la orientación y asistencia técnica.

Modus operandi: El equipo de trabajo trabajará principalmente por correspondencia y reuniones virtuales y preparará informes para las reuniones del GT-CA.

Purpose: To assist the Central American Working Group in the establishment of the CATAC until it has the ability to provide operational service.

Mandate: Under the guidance of the ICG/PTWS-WG-CA, the task team shall strengthen coordination and cooperation among the CA countries to establish the CATAC:

· Develop capability guidelines and performance indicators for the CATAC.

· Explore ways for facilitating the sharing and exchange of data and relevant

· information necessary for the establishment of the CATAC.

· Consult with National Tsunami Warning Focal Points, National Tsunami Warning

· Centres and Tsunami National Contacts of the Central American region to determine appropriate requirements for tsunami services.

· Develop the SOP and the contents of tsunami services for the CATAC.

· Identify potential resource requirements for the establishment of the CATAC.

· Keep contact with PTWC and NWPTAC (JMA) for technical guidance and assistance

Modus operandi: The task team will work mainly by correspondence and virtual meetings and prepare reports for the WG-CA meetings.

Miembros: Representantes de los Estados Miembros de América Central y las regiones adyacentes y expertos invitados; representantes del PTWC y NWPTAC (JMA), ITIC y CTWP; Presidente y vicepresidente a ser electos por el Equipo.

Membership: Representatives from the Member States of Central America and adjacent regions and invited experts; representatives of PTWC and NWPTAC (JMA), ITIC and CTWP; with Chairperson and vice Chairperson to be elected

Regional Working Group on Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System on the Central American Pacific Coast - Chair Ms Griselda Marroquin (El Salvador) and Vice-Chair Dr Silvia Chacon (Costa Rica)

WG-Central American Pacific Coast

ICG/PTWS working group 4

ICG/PTWS Working Group 2

2020-04-24T09:26:53+00:00

Terms of Reference of ICG/PTWS Working Group 2: Tsunami Detection, Warning and Dissemination (as of ICG/PTWS-XXX):

1. Liaise with other working group(s) and Task Team(s) within the ICG/PTWS and with working groups from the other ocean basins through the TOWS-WG to:

2. Develop, coordinate, and enhance operational implementation of interoperable tsunami threat information products and services.

3. Undertake studies to determine warning requirements for seismic and sea level data.

4. Monitor and report on the performance of key observational, warning and communication system components.

5. Contribute to the conduct of regular exercises and communication tests of the PTWS.

6. Identify areas of priority for action following assessments, communications tests, exercises, and real tsunami events.

7. Develop and maintain relevant documentation, such as the PTWS TSP User’s Guides.

8. Provide advice to the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC) on educational materials and for capacity building about the warning systems and services.

9. Help strengthen the capacity and capability of Member States.

10. Provide advice to the PTWS considering emergent data and novel processing and forecasting technologies to support NTWC and TSP, ensuring alignment to the UN ODTP goals.

The Working Group will be composed of members nominated by Member States, representatives for each ICG designated TSPs, ITIC, and invited observers, with a Chair and two Vice-Chairs to be elected by the ICG.

ICG/PTWS Working Group 1

2020-04-24T09:21:28+00:00

Terms of Reference of ICG/PTWS Working Group 1: Understanding Tsunami Risk (as of ICG/PTWS-XXX)

1. Develop and promote best practice tsunami risk assessment material, programmes, standards, and tools for understanding tsunami risk, to support emergency management and early warning, including but not limited to:
• hazard assessment and coastal inundation models and products
• risk assessment methodology and risk forecasting
• scenario assessments including maximum credible and most likely events to understand likely exposure, vulnerability, and event frequency
• forecast and threat models
• evacuation and inundation modelling
• use of new and improved data including digital elevation modelling (DEM), GNSS and paleotsunami information

2. Work with scientific experts to support Member State tsunami risk assessment.

3. Improve best practice for assessing risk of local source and non-seismic tsunami sources.

4. Develop projects to address gaps or areas for improvement in tsunami risk assessment, this may include land-use planning, vertical evacuation or supporting early warning improvements.

The Group will be composed of members nominated by Member States, with two co-chairs, one from a science and one from a disaster risk management background, to be elected.

Task Team Future Goals and Performance

2020-04-23T16:15:25+00:00

The new Framework has been developed to align with the goals and priorities of the
Medium-term strategy: Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (PTWS MTS), 2014-
2021 (IOC/2013/TS/108), and the global targets and priorities for action of the Sendai
Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015–2030. Specifically, the framework is
aligned closely to Target G of the SFDRR, which aims to “Substantially increase the availability
of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and
assessments to the people by 2030”. In addition, the Framework contributes to the EC decision
EC-LI/3.3.

Task Team Future Goals and Performance

Documents

2020-04-22T14:45:55+00:00

The Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/PTWS) has developed a number of documents outlining the goals and function of the tsunami warning system. Many of these documents are periodically updated to reflect the evolution of the system.

PTWS Documents

ICG/PTWS Steering Committee

ICG/PTWS Task Team PacWave

ICG/PTWS Training

ICG/PTWS working group 1

ICG/PTWS Working group 2

ICG/PTWS Workin group 3

WG-Central American Pacific Coast

WG-South East Pacific Region

WG-Pacific Island Countries and Territories

WG-South China Sea Region

Task Team Future Goals and Performance

PTWS Monitoring Networks

ICG/PTWS working group 4

Task Team PacWave

2020-04-22T12:41:08+00:00

Task Team PacWave

Task Team on PacWave20 Exercise - Co-Chairs Mr Emilio Talavera (Nicaragua) and Ms Margarita Martinez (Chile)

ICG/PTWS Task Team PacWave