Tsunami Warning System

Tsunami An ocean wave, generated by a submarine event such as an earthquake or volcanic eruption They have enough energy to travel across entire ocean basins

5 hours and 30 minutes from trigger

Tsunami Warning System National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration DART II Buoys Deep OceanDeep Ocean Assessment andAssessment and Reporting ofReporting of TsunamisTsunamis First six in 2001First six in 2001 –Complete 30 buoy system in 2008

How DART II works… Temperature and pressure readings every 15 minutes in standard mode (15-s) When an event is detected: 15 second values are transmitted for the first few minutes15 second values are transmitted for the first few minutes For the next 4 hours, 1 minute values are transmittedFor the next 4 hours, 1 minute values are transmitted

DART I (phase out in 2008) 1 hour communication1 hour communication 1 way communication1 way communication DART II 15 minute intervals15 minute intervals 2 way communication2 way communication Both use the GOES Satellite for communication DART I vs DART II Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite

All based on pressure The DART II Tsunameter (on the ocean floor) monitors the pressure and tidal changes A standard is set by NOAA 30 mm (3 cm) for the Pacific Ocean30 mm (3 cm) for the Pacific Ocean Uses a formula to determine if the threshold has been exceededUses a formula to determine if the threshold has been exceeded

Uses this formula If H p (t’) is greater than 30 mm in the Pacific, a tsunami is reported by the buoy Detection Software H p (t’)

Normal Tide/Pressure Activity on the Ocean Floor Tide/Pressure Spike

Program by the National Weather Service Helps to develop Tsunami Emergency Plans Such as: 24 hour command and control center24 hour command and control center One or more ways to alert the communityOne or more ways to alert the community Promote public readinessPromote public readiness Develop a Tsunami Action PlanDevelop a Tsunami Action Plan

Tsunami Warning Centers Alaska Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and CaliforniaAlaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California US Gulf and Atlantic Coast StatesUS Gulf and Atlantic Coast States Canadian ProvincesCanadian ProvincesHawai’i All of the PacificAll of the Pacific Responsible for monitoring strong tsunamigenic areasResponsible for monitoring strong tsunamigenic areas

Tsunami Warning System Tsunami Information Bulletin Threat exists, no active tsunamiThreat exists, no active tsunami Tsunami Watch Earthquake could have triggered a tsunamiEarthquake could have triggered a tsunami Tsunami Warning Center (TWC) waiting for DART informationTsunami Warning Center (TWC) waiting for DART information Tsunami Warning TWC thinks threat is highTWC thinks threat is high Will include arrival times for areas of the PacificWill include arrival times for areas of the Pacific

Tsunami Warning

City of Honolulu, Hawai’i

Honolulu International Airport Reef Runway (8R) Primary Runway

Evacuation Causes URGENT TSUNAMI WARNING Possible tsunami generated by a local earthquakePossible tsunami generated by a local earthquake Sirens will soundSirens will sound Immediate evacuationImmediate evacuation TSUNAMI WARNING Tsunami approach confirmedTsunami approach confirmed Sirens will soundSirens will sound

Tsunami Evacuation TSUNAMI EVACUATIONTSUNAMI EVACUATION Sirens will soundSirens will sound Begin evacuation when the evacuation order is issuedBegin evacuation when the evacuation order is issued 3 to 4 hours prior to wave arrival3 to 4 hours prior to wave arrival City busses will leave evacuation zonesCity busses will leave evacuation zones Roads will be sealed off by policeRoads will be sealed off by police No later than 45 minutes prior to first wave arrival.No later than 45 minutes prior to first wave arrival.

Hurricane Evacuation Tsunami and Hurricane Evacuation Similar to progression of evacuationsSimilar to progression of evacuations Similar response by local law enforcementSimilar response by local law enforcement

Tsunami Warning System All based on DART II Buoy system Around the Pacific OceanAround the Pacific Ocean “Defense” for Pacific and Hawai’i“Defense” for Pacific and Hawai’i Pressure of passing tsunami wavePressure of passing tsunami wave Much like a Hurricane Evacuation system

The Questions? Does it work? Would the full system protect the Pacific Rim? Does the DART System help local governments to save lives?

Web Resources/Credits NWS TsunamiReady™ Page: NWS TsunamiReady™ Page: Tsunami Warning Centers Page: Tsunami Warning Centers Page: NOAA Tsunami Page: NOAA Tsunami Page: NWS StormReady Page: NWS StormReady Page: Government of Hawai’i: Government of Hawai’i: