U.S. Tsunami Warning System: A Brief Overview

As a large and developed country prone to tsunamis, the United States of America has an advanced tsunami warning system. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System (TWS) has helped the country alleviate the impact of these deathly waves since the 1960s.

This system has made a great contribution to the U.S. and the neighboring countries. The U.S. TWS actively shares earthquake and tsunami information with other countries. This is because this system is a part of a global tsunami warning system. What is this system like?

Tsunami Risks in the U.S.

In the past, destructive tsunamis have hit regions in the U.S. The 1964 Alaska tsunami is among the mega-tsunamis ever to sweep coastal areas in North America. Another notable tsunami in the U.S. is the Lituya Bay tsunami in 1958, whose height was over 500 m. 

Currently, the U.S. has a significant tsunami risk. Most tsunami-prone areas in this country are those along the Pacific coast, such as California, Alaska, and Hawaii. 

However, recently, experts informed the U.S. government about the potential tsunami triggered by a megathrust earthquake within the next 5 decades. The predicted affected areas are those along the Pacific Northwest, particularly northern Oregon, northern California, and southern Washington.

About the U.S. Tsunami Warning System

Due to the tsunami history and risks, the U.S. has made an effort to mitigate tsunami risks since 1967 by establishing the U.S. Tsunami Warning Center. Until the 1970s, people recognized this center as the Palmer Observatory because the office was in Palmer, Alaska. 

Moreover, the observatory focused its scope of service in Alaska. In addition, the authority responsible for operating this system was the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Despite the limited scope of service, the Palmer Observatory was effective in providing timely tsunami alerts and accurate earthquake information. 

In 1973, the government altered the name of this observatory to the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center. Moreover, the government relocated it under the responsibility of the National Weather Service.

Forty years later, this warning center officially altered its name to the National Tsunami Warning Center. This tsunami warning system also has a broader scope of service. Its service covers the U.S., Alaska, and Canada.

Components of the NTWC

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System contains various components. They work together to meet the objectives of this system. What are these components?

1. Monitoring and Detection

This system has two systems for monitoring and detecting tsunamis and earthquakes. They are seismic networks and sea-level monitoring systems. The former can detect tsunamigenic earthquakes.

Tools in the seismic stations will detect the magnitude and location of those earthquakes. Moreover, the latter contains DART buoys and coastal tide gauges. The sea-level monitoring system can detect changes in sea level and water pressure that occur after an earthquake.

2. Forecasting and Analysis System

The National Tsunami Warning System is equipped with forecasting and analysis tools. These tools use the data from the monitoring and detection system to forecast and analyze tsunamis.

From these tools, NTWC operators attain estimations of the tsunami location, the damage it may cause, and when the first wave hits the affected locations. Therefore, they can determine the tsunami alert level accurately.

3. Communication Network

After authorities detect an incoming tsunami, they will issue a U.S. tsunami warning via various communication channels, such as TVs, Radios, sirens, and cell broadcasts. Among those channels, cell broadcasts are efficient and effective.

Cell broadcast technology can quickly reach all people in the tsunami-affected areas. This technology is also resilient because it doesn’t require the internet and cellular services.

The communication network in the U.S. Tsunami Warning System doesn’t only send the alert to communities and authorities in the U.S. and Canada. However, it also communicates the alert with the Pacific Tsunami Warning System and the Caribbean Tsunami Warning System.

4. Tsunami Preparedness

The NTWC also includes tsunami preparedness. A tsunami warning system cannot mitigate the impact of tsunamis if people don’t know how to respond to a tsunami alert. Therefore, the government must conduct the following efforts to prepare communities for this disaster.

• Public Awareness: Increased public awareness of tsunami hazards can successfully help authorities mitigate these deathly waves. Authorities can increase this awareness by educating people about tsunamis and safety procedures and installing warning signs.

• Regular Simulations: To help people respond to the tsunami alert, the government must conduct regular simulations. This activity is also beneficial for evaluating the government’s evacuation plan.

• Community Planning: The government must develop plans to reduce the tsunami impact. These plans include evacuation routes, labeling safe zones, and construction regulations in tsunami-prone areas.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System is among the best TWSs in the world. One of the best features of this system is the cell broadcast used to disseminate tsunami alerts. Governments of other countries can also utilize this technology if they use cell broadcasters from smsbroadcaster.com. Purchase now.