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International

Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Tsunami Programme

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's IOC Tsunami Programme aims to reduce the loss of lives and livelihoods from tsunamis worldwide. To do this, it supports IOC member states in assessing tsunami risk, implementing tsunami early warning systems, and educating at-risk communities about preparedness. Four Intergovernmental Coordination Groups (ICG) corresponding to the regions Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean have been established to address particular regional needs.

The IOC's map of the existing services of the global tsunami warning system indicates the area of coverage for the tsunami warning systems for each of the four ICGs. While each IOC member state is responsible for issuing tsunami alerts for their own coastlines through their national authorities, these regional tsunami warning systems provide them with event-related information to help them understand the threat to their coasts (e.g., the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, as the primary international forecast center for the warning systems in the Pacific and the Caribbean regions, issues tsunami threat messages and information statements to Member States in these regions, but they are for guidance only, they do not include alerts.)

IOC Global Tsunami Warning System Map

Enlarged Global Tsunami Warning System Map (pdf)

International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC)

The National Weather Service's ITIC supports the IOC's Tsunami Program as well as its Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (PTWS). The ITIC's responsibilities include monitoring PTWS activities, coordinating tsunami warning system technology transfer among PTWS member states, acting as a clearinghouse for risk assessment and mitigation activities, and producing tsunami education and preparedness materials. The ITIC also works closely with the World Data System for Geophysics on international data stewardship, product development, and outreach.

Caribbean Tsunami Warning Program (CTWP)

The National Weather Service's CTWP supports improved tsunami observations, provides training and outreach and education assistance, and facilitates data exchange for domestic and international partners in the Caribbean and adjacent regions. CTWP is part of the IOC's Intergovernmental Coordination Group for Tsunamis and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean Sea and Adjacent Regions.

Other Tsunami Information Centers




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