Information Kit for the Caribbean Media

To promote scientific understanding and safety in the Eastern Caribbean.

Tsunami & Other Coastal Hazards Warning System Project

Monique Johnson

Information on tsunamis and other coastal hazards (Introduction)

Capacity of a single event to create mass devastation to an entire region – Dec. 2004 event.

Coastal hazards, population trends and coastal development creating a vulnerable region.

Past hurricane and tsunami disaster statistics (CDEMA) and projected losses for future events.

Tsunami risks in the Caribbean

Infrequent events with limited predictability pose the greatest risk of disaster.

Onset speed of a tsunami event. Possibility of tsunamis within the

Caribbean; Earthquakes (seismicity map) Volcanic eruptions and associated landslides

(Kick ‘em Jenny submarine volcano) Teletsunami events (historical occurrences)

Tsunamis in the Caribbean

Sources: O’Loughlin and Lander (2003, 2006) Mercado Irizarry and Liu (2006) Seismic Research Unit, John Sheppard et al (1995) Norwegian Geological Institute, Bungum and Lindholm (2007)

Tsunamis generated by earthquakes in the Caribbean

Teletsunamis that have affected the Caribbean Tsunamis generated by Volcanic eruptions in

the CaribbeanDraft format – proposing to illustrate these events

on a map and an associated timeline of the events.

Characteristics of a tsunamis & natural warning signs

Tsunami science – wave behavior in open water and transformation as it approaches the coast.

Wave energy and inundation; destructive capacity.

Loss of lives and destruction to property. Natural warning signs

Earthquake Withdrawal of the shoreline (and possibility of no

withdrawal) Evacuate

Other Coastal Hazards

Pacific scenario – disappearing islands Climate change and storm frequency Storm surge phenomena Interaction between these elements,

sea level rise and the increasing vulnerability of coastal areas.

Coastal set back

Importance of set back in reducing damage to structures

How to establish the “safe” distance for building

Storm and Hurricane preparedness Importance of risk reduction techniques in

reducing impact of hazards and creation of disasters

Frequently Asked Questions

Can set the context of the document Adapted from the SRC educational magazine

(2001). Includes information on;

Tsunami definitions – distinction from tides and normal waves, teletsunamis etc.

Causes of tsunamis – Earthquakes, VolcanoesTsunami Early Warning Systems – Monitoring,

DevelopmentsCaribbean vulnerability – Kick’em Jenny, Cumbre

Vieja

2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

The importance of an early warning system.

Magnitude of the event and scale of destruction and loss of lives.

Survivor reports of the event – receding ocean and inability to act…

Returning to the beach also cost many lives.

To be enhanced with photographs and visual aids illustrating the event.

2009 Samoan Tsunami

The role of education in saving lives. Brief comparison to the 2004 event –

physical conditions, speed of onset, population.

Time taken for first bulletins and alerts to be issued (18 minutes).

Time taken for the arrival of the first wave (13-25 minutes).

Challenge of early warning system. Must be coupled with Education to save lives.

Messages the Media should give to the public

Adapted from CDEMA Disaster Media Kit, includes;

Key messages – Feel, see, hear, run and don’t return.

Preparedness – Know safe zones, share information, emergency supplies

In an event – What to know, what to do, where to go

After an event – basic post disaster safety information, precautions and sanitation guidelines.

Tsunami Glossary

Adapted from the ITIC 2006 Glossary.

May stand on its own as a 45 page document

Can be modified and condensed (2pages) to be included in the Media Kit and other reference material

Intergovernmental Oceanographic

Commission of UNESCO

International Tsunami Information Centre

UNESCO 2006

Brochures/ Pamphlets

Thank You