Caribbean Training Course in Seismology & Tsunami Warning - June 25 - 30, 2007, UWI St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad & Tobago

Introduction

• The Seismic Research Unit (SRU) of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad & Tobago, hosted the abovementioned workshop that was sponsored by the USAID OFDA and the UNDP, and jointly organized by the US Geological Survey, UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission International Tsunami Information Centre (IOC ITIC), Puerto Rico Seismic Network (PRSN, University of Puerto Rico), and the SRU.

• A total of 43 participants from 21 countries and territories, representing meteorological, emergency management, and seismological institutions in the region received presentations from experts from the IOC, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), SRU, UPR, and USGS, aimed at developing their understanding of the science of tsunamis, hazard and risk assessment, preparedness, education, and outreach, and operational best practices of tsunami warning centers and tsunami emergency response agencies.
  
  
• Participants also engaged in wide ranging discussions on other hazards and how best to develop a tsunami early warning system that enhances mitigation against such hazards.  Information and best practices on the four elements required for building an effective people-centred, end-to-end tsunami warning system were shared.  These are risk knowledge, monitoring and warning service, dissemination and communication and response capability.
  

• A number of themes emerged, and some of the conclusions from the discussions are listed below.
  
  
• Some recommendations that participants felt were priority action items for expeditious realization of a Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System follow the conclusions.

Conclusions

1. The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami resulted in increased awareness of this hazard as a definite threat to the Wider Caribbean region which has limited preparedness and mitigation infrastructure in this regard.
   
   
2. From historical records, the last destructive Tsunami in the Wider Caribbean was over 60 years ago.  Statistically, the region is overdue for another such event.  Such destructive events have the capacity to set back development and to cripple national economies for decades.
   
   
3. Participants felt that many states have still not given priority to appointing Tsunami Warning Focal Points (TWFP) & Tsunami National Contacts (TNC), according to the guidance provided by the UNESCO IOC, and that this deficiency should be urgently resolved.
   
   
4. It is recognized that the region already has early warning systems for slower-onset events, and that these systems should be expanded to incorporate the faster-onset tsunamis and other coastal hazards.

5. Caribbean nations are vulnerable to tsunamis generated within the region.  The impact of such a tsunami can occur very quickly, as short as a few minutes.  Preparedness and education programs are vital.

6. National seismic and sea level data sources to support an early warning system in the region must continue to be established and data shared between countries to be effective.  In particular, the current sea level monitoring network is inadequate.

7. At this point in time, operational tsunami guidance is being issued by the PTWC for our region.

Recommendations

1. In view of the above statements, National Governments need to ensure that Tsunami Preparedness becomes a more significant part of their multi-hazard early warning and mitigation system, as well as encourage the establishment of National Early Warning System Committees inclusive of their Tsunami Warning Focal Point (TWFP) and Tsunami National Contact (TNC).

2. Appoint TWFP & TNC’s in jurisdictions that have not yet done so and relay this to the relevant agency within the next 3 months.

3. Considering the recommendations from the ICG/CARIBE-EWS-II meeting held 12-14 March 2007 in Cumana, Venezuela, encourage widespread support for the establishment of all components required for tsunami early warning, including seismic, sea level, communication, and operational infrastructures, and encourage their use in a multi-hazard context.

4. Development of end-to-end capabilities to rapidly deliver tsunami warning guidance to all those at risk, utilizing whatever medium is appropriate.

5. Recurrent Training Workshops and other capacity building mechanisms with wider participation from other relevant agencies such as meteorological, emergency management, and seismological agencies etc., as well as TWFP’s & TNC’s.

6. Organize and implement public education, preparedness, and sensitization activities for vulnerable communities.  Support the development of scientifically-sound products and tools to carry out these activities. For example, risk and hazard maps.