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Recommendation ITSU-XIX.4: Working Group on the Tsunami Warning System in the Southwest Pacific and Indian Ocean
Writer: Tammy Kaitoku Updated: 15.10.04 Created: 21.09.04 Hits: 394
Recommendation ITSU-XIX.4: Working Group on the Tsunami Warning System in the Southwest Pacific and Indian Ocean [endoresed by the IOC Executive Council at its 37th Session in June 2004]
Recommendation ITSU-XIX.4
WORKING GROUP ON THE TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AND INDIAN OCEAN
The International Co-ordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific,
Recognizing that the Southwest Pacific and Indian Ocean has a significant threat from both local and distant tsunamis;
Further recognizing that some areas of this region are not covered by the PTWC;
Noting the interest of Member States in the Indian Ocean and Southwest Pacific regions to enhance their tsunami warning services;
Acknowledges that Indonesia has decided to develop its National Tsunami Warning System with already existing and planned upgrades to seismic and sea-level networks and that the PTWC provides distant tsunami warnings for the Southwest Pacific;
Further acknowledging that there may be mutual benefits to these regions and to the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific from the establishment of this system;
Decides to establish an intersessional Working Group on the Southwest Pacific and Indian Ocean with the following Terms of Reference:
- to evaluate capabilities of countries in these regions for providing tsunami warning services;
- to ascertain requirements from countries in the Southwest Pacific and Indian Ocean for the tsunami warning services.
Requests Australia and ITIC to prepare a draft prior to the next SOPAC meeting for consideration by the Working Group.
Recommends that the Group be composed of representatives from Indonesia, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Japan, Observer from Papua New Guinea and the Directors of ITIC and PTWC and Chaired by the Representative of Indonesia.
Acknowledges that ITSU is the Co-ordination Body for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific (TWSP) and encourages non-ITSU Member States to contact the IOC Secretariat to request membership of the ICG/ITSU.
____________________
Financial implications:
US$ 5,000 for 2004; US$ 5,000 for 2005.
(Excerpts from an article published in Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Vol. 18, No. 3,, p. 122-130, 1986 NOTE: Since this article was written a number of changes have taken place. More countries have joined the International Tsunami Warning System and more seismic and tidal stations have been added to the network. Look for Updates.)
Several nonmember states and territories maintain stations for the ITWS. The System makes use of 69 seismic stations, 65 tide stations, and 101 dissemination points scattered throughout the Pacific Basin under the varying control of the member states of ITSU. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center at Ewa Beach near Honolulu is operated by the U.S. National Weather Service, Pacific Region (see adjacent NOAA diagram).Also, a program of preparedness has been developed alerting coastal populations, industries, and Civil Defense agencies to respond to tsunami warnings. The International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC) has the responsibility of coordinating public educational programs for each participating country. ITIC works closely with government agencies, private institutions, and Civil Defense authorities, developing sound coastal management policies which include zoning and planning for coastal areas, as well as standard operating procedures in case of an actual event.[snip]
Finally, the International Tsunami Warning System is one of the most successful international programs ever undertaken involving a multitude of nations with the direct responsibility of mitigating the effects of tsunamis, the saving of lives, and the preservation of property. It is an effective operational program with a direct humanitarian objective-the protection of human lives in the Pacific Ocean coastal areas. The system has been made possible by the generous contributions and participation of the Community of Nations of the Pacific, by IOC's involvement, and by the active and effective coordination of ITIC and of the International Coordination Group.