What is the International Tsunami Warning System(ITWS)? What is the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC)? What is the International Coordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System (ICG/ITSU)?

Introduction

The International Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific (ITWS) and the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC) is one of the most successful international scientific programs in disaster reduction. With support from the United States and other Member Nations and with the continuous sponsorhip and coordination by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, the program has been in operation for more than 30 years. The program has the direct humanitarian responsibility of mitigating the effects of tsunami disasters by saving lives and protecting property. It has been made possible by UNESCO/IOC's involvement, the generous contributions by the United States and through the active coordination of the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC) in Honolulu, Hawaii. Also, this successful disaster reduction program has become possible because of the interest, generosity, and active participation of many UNESCO/IOC Member Nations.

Historical Background

The great destruction and loss of life caused by the May 1960 Chilean tsunami prompted a large number of countries and territories to inquire about joining in a Pacific Tsunami Warning System (TWS). The great Alaskan earthquake of 1964 generated another devastating tsunami that affected a good part of the Pacific. This tsunami disaster focused additional attention to the need for an International Tsunami Warning System under the auspices of a United Nations organization.

In 1965, UNESCO/IOC, recognizing the importance of providing timely warnings of the approach of potentially-catasthrophic tsunamis in the Pacific Ocean, accepted the offer of the United States of America to undertake the expansion of its existing National Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, to become the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC). The U.S.Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii (PTWC) became the headquarters of the International Pacific Tsunami Warning System. At the same time, UNESCO/IOC, accepted the generous offers of other UNESCO/IOC member countries to integrate their existing facilities and communications into this System.

The existing U.S. Warning Systems in Hawaii and in Alaska (ATWC) were integrated with the Systems of Japan, USSR, Chile, and of other regional centers, and became a truly International Tsunami Warning System(ITWS). The International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC) was signed into effect by unanimous decision during UNESCO/IOC's special meeting at Honolulu, Hawaii, April 27-30, 1965. At the same time, the International Coordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System (ICG/ITSU) was established as a subsidiary body of IOC. Represented at this special UNESCO/IOC organizational meeting were Canada, Chile, Republic of China, France, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Republic of the Philippines, United States of America, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and Western Samoa. Many international scientific, national and international organizations were represented also, such as the Inter-American Geodetic Survey, the Tsunami Committee of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, (IUGG), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Ryuku Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific.ITIC and ICG/ITSU were formally established in accordance with the UNESCO/IOC Resolution #1 entitled "International Aspects of the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific", adopted in Paris at the Fourth Session of UNESCO General Assembly, on November 12, 1965.

Thus, UNESCO/IOC played a very important lead role in beginning a very successful and cost-effective, disaster warning and mitigation program, twenty-five years before the International Decade on Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) was initiated. Under the direction and guidance of UNESCO/IOC, the International Tsunami Information Centre was instrumental in increasing dramatically the membership of ICG/ITSU. From the original six nations that joined ICG/ITSU in 1965, twenty-eight nations are presently members of the International Tsunami Warning System. The System utilizes numerous seismic and tidal stations and satellite communications throughout the Pacific Ocean and disseminates, on a real-time basis, tsunami watches and warnings to all the countries and territories of the entire Pacific Basin. Many more UNESCO/IOC Member Nations are expected to join ICG/ITSU and the Tsunami Warning System, in the near future.

ITIC Mandate

ITIC's mandate and functions evolved and expanded over the years. Initially, ITIC was given the general mandate of mitigating the effects of Tsunamis throughout the Pacific by supporting Member States of the ICG/ITSU in developing and improving preparedness for tsunamis by monitoring and seeking to improve the Tsunami Warning System for the Pacific; by gathering and disseminating knowledge on tsunamis, and fostering tsunami research; by bringing a knowledge of the Tsunami Warning System and ITIC to non-member states, and information on how to become participants through ICG/ITSU; and by conducting post-disaster surveys for the purpose of documentation and understanding of the tsunami disaster. Later, the functions and responsibilities of ITIC were expanded to include a number of other tsunami disaster preparedness and education activities, aimed at disaster reduction.

ITIC Functions

Additional ITIC functions include:

a) Insuring the dissemination of tsunami watches and warnings and the collection of tsunami information on a real-time basis;

b) Giving technical advice on the equipment required for an effective warning system and providing assistance in the establishement of national warning systems;

c) Making periodic studies and assessment visits to developing countries in order to evaluate their instrumentation requirements, assess their performance, offer advice as appropriate, and suggest avenues for assistance;

d) Evaluating the performance of the Tsunami Warning System with regard to communications, data networks, and the dissemination of warnings;

e) Coordinating the development of the observing system which provides the information necessary for the issuance of effective tsunami warnings to those nations wishing to receive such messages.

Research and Data Collection Responsibilities

ITIC maintains a complete library of publications related to tsunamis. The Centre also maintains a full file of data related to tsunamis as obtained from WDC's and from the real-time Tsunami Warning System, to serve as part of the basis for the information services, materials for visiting scientists, and data compilations and summaries. To accomplish this task, ITIC maintains close contact with IUGG (International Union Of Geodesy and Geophysics) and many other national and international scientific organizations. ITIC continuously monitors the results of current tsunami research in order to find applications which may result in the improvement of the International Tsunami Warning System.

Visiting Scientists Program

One of the most successful ITIC programs has been the Visiting Scientists Program. With Member States' and UNESCO/IOC support, ITIC conducts this training program by providing facilities at the Centre and by arranging for the exchange of scientists among UNESCO/IOC member countries. ITIC has trained numerous scientists of Member States who, upon returning to their respective countries, train and educate others on tsunami programs and procedures, thus ensuring the continuity and success of the program.

Commitment to Education, Preparedness and Disaster Reduction.

With Member States' and UNESCO/IOC support, ITIC organizes and conducts scientific workshops and educational seminars aimed towards tsunami disaster education and preparedness. These training workshops are usually conducted in conjunction with IOC/ITSU meetings which are held every two years in a member state for the purpose of coordinating and reviewing the activities of the International Tsunami Warning System (ITWS). Also, with U.S. and UNESCO/IOC support, ITIC publishes an informational and educational Newsletter on a regular basis.

This Newsletter is distributed to interested individuals, scientists and institutions in approximately seventy countries. Additionally, with UNESCO/IOC and Member Nations' support, ITIC disseminates appropriate compilations of tsunami information and data. Such publications may include regional tsunami catalogs and yearly summaries of tsunamis. In recent years, emphasis has been placed on the preparation of educational materials such as textbooks for children and instructions for teachers. Teaching with the help of these books has been already implemented in Chile. The results have been very encouraging. Plans are being made by other UNESCO/IOC Member Nations to implement similar educational programs into their school systems.

Through such continuous efforts, UNESCO/IOC Member States and the International Tsunami Information Centre have strongly supported the goals and objectives of IDNDR and have contributed effectively in defining realistic parameters and plans for IDNDR implementation, particularly in developing countries. ITIC has been a strong supporter of the development of educational and public preparedness programs that can result in further mitigation of the tsunami disaster in the future.