| Institution: | (1) Department of Land Conservation and Development, 635 Capitol St., Suite 150, Salem, OR USA, 97301-2540;(2) Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District, P.O. Box 24, Cannon Beach, OR USA, 97110;(3) Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division, M/S TA-20, Camp Murray, WA USA, 98430-5211;(4) Kenai Peninsula Borough, Office of Emergency Management, 144 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK USA, 99669;(5) West Coast Alaska Tsunami Warning Center, 910 S. Felton St., Palmer, AK USA, 99645;(6) National Weather Service, 5241 NE 122nd Ave., Portland, OR USA, 97230-1089;(7) Hawaii Civil Defense, 3949 Diamond Head Rd., Honolulu, HI USA, 96816-4495 |
| Abstract: | Coastal areas are warned of a tsunami by natural phenomena and man-made warning systems. Earthquake shaking and/or unusual water conditions, such as rapid changes in water level, are natural phenomena that warn coastal areas of a local tsunami that will arrive in minutes. Unusual water conditions are the natural warning for a distant tsunami. Man-made warning systems include sirens, telephones, weather radios, and the Emergency Alert System. Man-made warning systems are normally used for distant tsunamis, but can be used to reinforce the natural phenomena if the systems can survive earthquake shaking. The tsunami warning bulletins provided by the West Coast/Alaska and Pacific Tsunami Warning Centers and the flow of tsunami warning from warning centers to the locals are critical steps in the warning process. Public knowledge of natural phenomena coupled with robust, redundant, and widespread man-made warning systems will ensure that all residents and tourists in the inundation zone are warned in an effective and timely manner. |
