P UERTO RICO SEISMIC NETWORKTsunami protocol for PR/VI - Caribbean

andThe PR Broadcast System

Dr. Victor A. Huérfano

CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCY1 Meeting of the join Project Coordinator Committee

ERCB, IDRC/ICT and TCHWS27/01/2009 Barbados

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The mission of the Puerto Rico Seismic Network (PRSN) is to rapidly determine the location and size of all earthquakes and tsunamis in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) and to immediately disseminate this information to concerned agencies, scientists, and the general public. PRSN compiles and maintains an extensive seismic database on earthquake parameters, continuous waveforms (earthquakes and sea level) and their effects which serve as a solid foundation for basic and applied earth science/oceanography research in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

The Puerto Rico Seismic Network mission

TSUNAMI WARNING CENTERS MESSAGE SUITE

(2008)

Warning Inundating wave possible Full evacuation suggested

Watch Danger level not yet known Stay alert for more info Advisory Strong currents likely Stay away from the shore Information Minor waves at most No action suggested

Warnings and advisories suggest that action must be taken Advisories can be upgraded to a warning or canceled Warning can be downgraded to an advisory or canceled

Tsunami Warning

A tsunami warning is issued when a potential tsunami with significant widespread inundation is imminent or expected. 

Warnings alert the public that widespread, dangerous coastal flooding accompanied by powerful currents is possible and may continue for several hours after arrival of the initial wave.  

Warnings also alert emergency management officials to take action for the entire tsunami hazard zone. 

Appropriate actions to be taken by local officials may include the evacuation of low-lying coastal areas, and the repositioning of ships to deep waters when there is time to safely do so. 

Warnings may be updated, adjusted geographically, downgraded, or canceled.

To provide the earliest possible alert, initial warnings are normally based only on seismic information.

Tsunami Watch

A tsunami watch is issued to alert emergency management officials and the public of an event which may later impact the watch area. 

The watch area may be upgraded to a warning or advisory - or canceled - based on updated information and analysis. 

Therefore, emergency management officials and the public should prepare to take action. 

Watches are normally issued based on seismic information without confirmation that a destructive tsunami is underway.

Tsunami Advisory

A tsunami advisory is issued due to the threat of a potential tsunami which may produce strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or near the water. 

Coastal regions historically prone to damage due to strong currents induced by tsunamis are at the greatest risk. 

The threat may continue for several hours after the arrival of the initial wave, but significant widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory.  

Appropriate actions to be taken by local officials may include closing beaches, evacuating harbors and marinas, and the repositioning of ships to deep waters when there is time to safely do so. 

Advisories are normally updated to continue the advisory, expand/contract affected areas, upgrade to a warning, or cancel the advisory.

Tsunami Information Statement

A tsunami information statement is issued to inform emergency management officials and the public that an earthquake has occurred, or that a tsunami warning, watch or advisory has been issued for another section of the ocean. 

In most cases, information statements are issued to indicate there is no threat of a destructive tsunami and to prevent unnecessary evacuations as the earthquake may have been felt in coastal areas. 

An information statement may, in appropriate situations, caution about the possibility of destructive local tsunamis. 

Information statements may be re-issued with additional information, though normally these messages are not updated.  However, a watch, advisory or warning may be issued for the area, if necessary, after analysis and/or updated information becomes available.

TSUNAMI WARNING CENTERS MESSAGE SUITE

(2008)Warning Inundating wave possible Full evacuation suggested Issued when forecasted or observed amplitude is over 1.0 m or procedures call for an immediate warning based on earthquake parametersWatch Danger level not yet known Stay alert for more info Issued to provide an early alert for areas that are distant from the wave front, but may have dangerAdvisory Strong currents likely Stay away from the shore When forecasted amplitudes are in the range 0.3 - 1.0 m, or observed amplitudes are in the range of 0.4 - 1.0 m. When inundating waves have lessened and are dangerous in or near water fronts only When procedures call for an immediate advisory based on earthquake parametersInformation Minor waves at most No action suggested Warnings and advisories suggest that action must be taken Advisories can be upgraded to a warning or canceled Warning can be downgraded to an advisory or canceled

Tsunami Warning Center - TWCarea-of-responsibilities.

Tsunami Warning Center - TWCarea-of-responsibilities.

Puerto Rico Seismic Network

TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER OPERATIONS

Seismic Stations

TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER OPERATIONS

Sea Level / DART Buoys

TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER OPERATIONS

Seismic Stations

TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER OPERATIONS

GOES

PRSN Tide Stations NOS Tide Stations

Tsunamis in the Atlantic

Earthquakes and Tsunamis in the Caribbean

Earthquakes and Tsunamis in the Caribbean

Earthquakes and Tsunamis in the Caribbean 1564

17871670

1943

2007

1974

1843

1946

1770

1918

18671969

LOCALEarthquake4.5 ≤ M ≤ 6.5

TsunamiInformationStatement

PRSNNEICPTWC WC/ATWC

PR-SEMA

NWS

BVI-ODP

VITEMA

RegionalNetworks

yes

Tsunami Protocol for PR/VI

no

LOCALEarthquake4.5 ≤ M ≤ 6.5

PRSNNEICPTWC WC/ATWC

PR-SEMA

NWS

BVI-ODP

VITEMA

RegionalNetworks

yes

no

LOCALEarthquake

M ≥ 6.5 H ≤ 100kmOr M ≥ 7.9

Or I ≥ VII MMOr TI ≥ V

yes

TsunamiWarningMessageno

Tsunami Protocol for PR/VI

LOCALEarthquake4.5 ≤ M ≤ 6.5

PRSNNEICPTWC WC/ATWC

PR-SEMA

NWS

BVI-ODP

VITEMA

RegionalNetworks

yes

no

LOCALEarthquake

M ≥ 6.5 H ≤ 100kmOr M ≥ 7.9

yes

no

REGIONALEarthquake

6.0 ≤ M ≤ 7.5 Or M ≥ 7.6 and

H ≥ 100 orinland

yes

TsunamiInformationStatementTsunami Protocol

for PR/VI

no

LOCALEarthquake4.5 ≤ M ≤ 6.5

PRSNNEICPTWC WC/ATWC

PR-SEMA

NWS

BVI-ODP

VITEMA

RegionalNetworks

yes

no

LOCALEarthquake

M ≥ 6.5 H ≤ 100kmOr M ≥ 7.9

yes

no

REGIONALWestern Earthquake

7.6 ≤ M ≤ 7.8yes

TsunamiInformationStatementTsunami Protocol

for PR/VI

no

LOCALEarthquake4.5 ≤ M ≤ 6.5

PRSNNEICPTWC WC/ATWC

PR-SEMA

NWS

BVI-ODP

VITEMA

RegionalNetworks

yes

no

LOCALEarthquake

M ≥ 6.5 H ≤ 100kmOr M ≥ 7.9

yes

no

REGIONALEastern Earthquake

7.6 ≤ M ≤ 7.8Western Earthquake

M ≥ 7.9 and H ≤ 100 km

yes

TsunamiAdvisoryMessageTsunami Protocol

for PR/VI

no

LOCALEarthquake4.5 ≤ M ≤ 6.5

PRSNNEICPTWC WC/ATWC

PR-SEMA

NWS

BVI-ODP

VITEMA

RegionalNetworks

yes

no

LOCALEarthquake

M ≥ 6.5 H ≤ 100kmOr M ≥ 7.9

yes

no

REGIONALEastern Earthquake

M ≥ 7.9 andH ≤ 100 km

yes

TsunamiWarningMessageTsunami Protocol

for PR/VI

no

LOCALEarthquake

PRSNNEICPTWC WC/ATWC

PR-SEMA

NWS

BVI-ODP

VITEMA

RegionalNetworks

yes

no

REGIONALEarthquake

yes

no

TeleseismicEarthquake Mag ≥ 7.9

yes

Tsunami Protocol for PR/VI

no

Observed or Forecasted

wave heights

yes

no

TsunamiInformationStatement

TsunamiAdvisoryMessage

PR-SEMA

NWS

BVI-ODP

VITEMA

LOCALEarthquake

PRSNNEICPTWC WC/ATWCRegionalNetworks

yes

no

REGIONALEarthquake

yes

no

TeleseismicEarthquake Mag ≥ 7.9

yes

Tsunami Protocol for PR/VI

no

No action

Tsunami Protocol for Caribbean

PTWC Messages

Tsunami Warning Dissemination (24/7)

1. Internet Email service list Dedicated client programs Web pages (TWC, NEIC, PRSN, ITIC..) Text messages2. Emergency Alert System (EAS)3. Reverse 9114. NOAA Weather Radio 5. Sirens6. VSAT satellite7. EMWIN GOES linkOther systems unique to area

Dedicated Internet Client programs

Dedicated Internet Client programs

Tsunami Ready Program

• “Grass roots” program that promotes tsunami hazard readiness.

• Collaborative effort between government, academia and the public.

• Improve public safety during tsunami emergencies.• Prepares communities for tsunami hazard.• Create minimum standard community guidelines for

adequate tsunami readiness. • Increase public awareness and understanding of tsunami

hazard.• Improve community pre-planning for tsunami disasters.• Encourage consistency in educational materials and

response. • Recognize communities that have adopted Tsunami Ready

guidelines

Working Together to Save Lives

QUESTIONS ?