Eddie Bernard, Frank González and Hugh Milburn
The National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Steering Group

Goal

A State/Federal partnership created to reduce the impacts of tsunamis
on U.S. Coastal areas by coordinating the state efforts of Alaska, California,
Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington with the federal activities of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, and the U.S. Geological Survey.
Accomplishments
Hazard Assessment
Warning Guidance
  •  Tsunami inundation
      maps prepared for
      Oregon and Washington



Maps identifying the areas
of likely tsunami flooding for
at-risk communities are
being constructed to guide
local tsunami hazard
planning. The tsunami
inundation map for Newport,
Oregon, shown here, was
created using a combination
of numerical models and
tsunami scenarios. The
Center for Tsunami
Inundation Mapping Efforts
(TIME) was created to assist
the states in evacuation map
production.
  •  Deployed two real-time tsunami
      detectors

  •  Formulated plan to upgrade seismic
      networks in Alaska, California, Oregon,
      Washington, and Hawaii

Mitigation

  •  Completed inventory of mitigation material

  •  Established mitigation plans for Alaska,
      California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington

Tsunami mitigation tools are being developed for the
states and local communities based on an evaluation
of needs and an assessment of existing products.
These signs have been adopted by the Steering Group
as appropriate signage for coastal communities.
Tsunami warnings will be improved through
the installation of an array of deep ocean
tsunami detectors and a major upgrade of
existing earthquake detection networks. The
locations of the oceanic sensors and land-
based seismic sensors are identified on this
map. These sensors will provide faster, more
accurate estimates of tsunamis.

Future Directions
Hazard Assessment

  •  Prepare tsunami inundation maps for
      Alaska, California, and Hawaii
Warning Guidance

  •  Deploy next-generation tsunami detectors

  •  Install new seismic stations in Alaska,
      California, Oregon, ;and Washington
Mitigation

  •  Implement mitigation plans for Alaska,
      California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington
Funding for this research was provided by NOAA/OAR