NOAA An Integrated Approach to Improving Tsunami Warning and Mitigation PMEL
F.I. Gonzalez, E.N. Bernard, H.B. Milburn, S. Stalin, V.V. Titov, H.O. Mofjeld,
M.C. Eble, J.C. Newman, R.A. Kamphaus, E.F. Burger
NOAA / Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory

A deep ocean network, combined with a numerical model database, will improve the speed and accuracy of short-term tsunami forecasting

Earthquake!Tsunami?
Time = 0
earthquake! Destructive tsunamis originate primarily in subduction zones around the Pacific Rim.

Not every earthquake generates a tsunami.
Model simulations combined with real-time tsunami measurements will help assess the hazard.
tsunami @ 2 hrs
A simulated tsunami generated by a large subduction earthquake (Mw = 8.5) in Alaska-Aleutian Subduction Zone.
tsunami @ 4 hrs

Data Network
plus
DART buoy Deep-ocean
Assesment and
Reporting of
Tsunamis
System
buoy deployment

Quality Control Web Page

DART QC
Surface Buoy and BPR Deployment
BPR deployment

Simulated Tsunami and DART Reporting Modes
DART reporting modes

Model & Data Assimilation
goes to
MOST locations Tsunami
Propagation
Database
Interface
Output: Time Series

MOST time series

Output: Maximum Wave Heights

MOST max heights
nonlinear inundation Site-Specific
Tsunami
Inundation
Modeling

Tsunami Forecast Guidance
Time = 1 hour
Hawaii Civil Defense must decide whether to call a tsunami evacuation within an hour of a Pacific earthquake.

The integrated DART/model database system will provide more rapid and accurate guidance to emergency managers.
Schedule:

An operational network of six DART stations will be deployed over the next two years.

The data-assimilation scheme and database for Hawaii are presently under development, to be completed by 2003.
warning centers
Tsunami Warning Center evacuation sign

Support provided by NOAA, the U.S. National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program and NASA/DoD Solid Earth and Natural Hazards Program

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