IOC/ITSU-X/3 - International Co-ordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific, Tenth Session, Sidney, B.C., Canada, 1-3 August 1985

The Tenth Session of the International Co-ordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific (ICG/ITSU) was convened at the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney, B.C., Canada on Wednesday 1 August 1985 at 10.00 a.m. The Institute served as the host of the meeting and made the arrangements for logistical support.

Mr. Norman Ridgway, Chairman of the Group, opened the session by welcoming the participants and invited Dr. Cedric Mann, Director General of the Institute, to address the Group. Dr. Mann extended a warm welcome and his best wishes to the participants. The full text of his opening remarks are in Annex IV.

Mr. Ridgway, on the behalf of the Group, thanked the Canadian authorities for hosting the Session. He referred to the success of the three-day Workshop on the Technical Aspects of Tsunami Analyses, Prediction and Communications. During the workshop experts were privileged to hear lectures given by tsunami scientists who are at the forefront of the battle to increase mankind's knowledge and understanding of the tsunami phenomena. He pointed out that through the application of scientific knowledge we can create sound, rational and effective tsunami warning systems so as to take the necessary counter-measures to mitigate the tsunami threat in the various countries. He called attention to two major problems which appear to be common experiences. First there is the problem of communication not only between some national authorities and PTWC but also between national authorities and people under immediate threat from tsunamis. The second problem is the threat of locally-generated tsunamis. Many thousands of lives have been lost as a result of locally generated tsunamis over the past decade; in Indonesia, Philippines, Columbia, Ecuador and Japan for example. In spite of the fact that major improvements have been made to all the existing tsunami warning services - PTWC, ATWC, Japanese TWS, the USSR Tsunami Warning Service - tremendous problems still have to be overcome, expecially in the South Pacific. He appealed to the Group to accept the challenge that these problems offer and to make a particular effort to solve such problems. He stressed that this Session is a good opportunity to initiate and adopt policies which through international co-operation will help all Member States in their important task of mitigating the tsunami hazard and thereby protecting human lives.

Representatives of 16 Member States attended the Session Four international bodies were also-represented. (See Annex III -List of Participants).

Other areas of interaction and coordination between ITIC and PTWC include PTWC automation efforts, improvement of PTWC's communication with the countries represented by the Group and initiations for obtaining tide information from critical areas, using Handar units. Data from three tide stations (La Libertad in Ecuador, Baltrais, Rabaul in New Britain) are now available to the PTWC, thus improving its services to Member States. He also stated that continued efforts are being made to include other tide sites in the PTWC tide network. ITIC continues to fulfill its duties by the collection, exchange and dissemination of tsunami data and information. This permits ITIC's files and library to be continually updated and thus enables more comprehensive replies to be given to the numerous inquiries for tsunami data and information. The requests for data and information come from many different sources such as academic institutions, engineering firms, hazard authorities, banks, insurance firms etc.

ITIC continues to assist the Tsunami Hazard Reducation Utilizing Systems Technology (THRUST) pilot study. It is a continuing project which is expected to serve elsewhere as a prototype for similar early warning regional systems. The present THRUST project is being implemented in the Chile area.

Dr. Pararas-Carayannis reported that all Resolutions resulting from ITSU-IX and concerning ITIC have been completed. These resolutions involved: assisting an expert to develop a Master Plan for International Tsunami Warning Operations; determining requirements for the production of additional travel time charts; determining changes to the present Communication Plan; seeking additional funding for the day-lo-day operations of ITIC and providing a priority list of requirements to support ITIC activities using audio-visual materials, library updates, run-up surveys and printing.

The Group expressed its appreciation for· the work carried out by the Chairman, the Director of ITIC and the IOC Secretariat during the intersessional period. It was underlined that even though the intersessional period was a short one, all of the Recommendation and Resolutions were successfully completed. The Chairman's and Director's reports were accepted as submitted.

The Group appreciated the successful efforts of the Secretary IOC to provide direct financial support to assist the ITIC in carrying out its vital role by providing technical advice and assistance to Member States. The Group stressed the importance of the continued support from the IOC for the major activities that are undertaken by the Group for the protection of mankind from the tsunami hazard.

 Informational Documents