Pacific Tsunami Warning System for Mitigation Risks

Risk mitigation is essential for any type of natural disaster, especially those with high risk. Known as a dangerous natural disaster, a huge wave called a tsunami is a major concern for disaster management. One of the mitigation risk programs is the Pacific tsunami warning system. This specific warning system plays an important role in detecting and gives warnings in real time to the public.

What is the Pacific Tsunami Warning System?

According to its name, the PTWS is a regional tsunami warning system in the Pacific region. This regional system is centralized into a global warning system.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning System (PTWS), which is located in Hawaii, US, has a systematic mechanism. It is operated by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and then controlled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Eventually, the NOAA is managed by Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.

Ensuring timely tsunami warnings is the main focus of this warning system. It will improve the effectiveness of disaster risk mitigation. As a high-risk disaster, a tsunami causes many casualties and other risks in any aspects. To deal with all of this, it is necessary to implement PTWS, which is increasingly sophisticated from time to time.

In practice, this tsunami warning system includes detailed information about a tsunami. The information such as the height and range of the tsunami, the location of the disaster, potential risks, vulnerable areas, and evacuation routes.

Not only early warnings, but it is important to note that PTWS issues the evacuation warnings. Both of them completed each other. After giving an early warning, an evacuation warning follows, urging affected communities to evacuate according to established evacuation directions and routes.

Are All Countries in the Pacific Region Members of PTWS?

It is widely known that the Pacific Tsunami Warning System (PTWS) is coordinated as a regional warning system. This system is also globally integrated. Therefore, are all countries in the Pacific region members of the PTWS? Not at all. There are countries in the Pacific region that didn’t join. This depends on the decision of each country.

All countries in the Pacific region that join the PTWS will receive tsunami warnings if the system detects a potential tsunami. Countries that do not join will not receive such warnings. Generally, these countries have their warning systems.

Nevertheless, joining a regional warning system can optimize risk mitigation. The system is integrated and managed directly by the International Organization for Mitigation (IOC) of UNESCO. Through these comprehensive warnings, member countries can improve public safety and be more effective in reducing risks.

PTWS Cooperation with Non-Member Countries

Very crucial to improve the risk mitigation capability. It works if it involves synergy. As the first line of risk mitigation, the Pacific Tsunami Warning System (PTWS) collaborates with non-member countries. It applies to countries in the Pacific region or outside.

Each country that wants to collaborate must ensure its capabilities to access the information and resources to strengthen its system. The purpose is to make sure that the main focus of tsunami warnings is implemented optimally, depending on the PTWS program.

1. Non-Member Countries in the Pacific Region

Countries in the Pacific region are free to choose whether or not to join the PTWS. In addition to the freedom to develop their systems, non-member countries in the Pacific region can collaborate with the PTWS.

The countries have various benefits through this collaboration. Some of it is the exchange of data and information about tsunamis with countries around the world, training and capacity building, international partnerships for the development of tsunami warning systems, and increased public awareness of tsunamis and the importance of warning systems.

2. Non-Member Countries Outside the Pacific Region

Natural disaster warning systems, including PTWS as a high-risk disaster warning, must be available and continually improved. Non-PTWS member countries in the Pacific region can also collaborate. The benefits they receive are the same as those for non-member countries in the Pacific region.

Based on the importance of the Pacific tsunami warning system, optimization is necessary to reach everyone potentially affected. An emergency messaging service can optimize the warning system because the information can be sent in real-time and evenly distributed.

How does it work? An emergency message is sent by SMS (Short Message Service) to the mobile phones. Compared to social media, this system is more flexible because it doesn't rely on an internet signal. This specific technology can be provided by the government at smsbroadcaster.com. Product photos and detailed specifications are available there.