Communicating Threats and Impacts During Tsunami Events: International Edition

 

Course Description

This lesson highlights Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) products that provide useful threat information to national tsunami warning centers (NTWCs) outside of the U.S. during tsunami events. The learner takes on the role of warning center representatives from three different countries staffing the community phone lines after a M8.8 earthquake occurs offshore of Tonga. The learner interprets the PTWC products to practice conveying potential threats and impacts to emergency officials across the international shores of Tonga, Vanuatu, and Kiribati. This lesson is intended for those who work in a meteorological service or other agency with tsunami warning responsibilities within any non-U.S. sovereign nation who want to practice interpreting Tsunami Service Provider products and inform emergency management agencies. 

A Google Earth satellite image showing the potential epicenter of a tsunami for a region.

A map showing coastal tsunami amplitude polygons.

Learners assume the role of a National Tsunami Warning Center representative (outside of the U.S.) to interpret various Pacific Tsunami Warning Center text and graphical products and address tsunami threat information needs from various international emergency management officials.

 

Intended Audience

The intended audience for "Communicating Threats and Impacts During Tsunami Events - International Edition” includes representatives who work in a National Tsunami Warning Center (which could be a meteorological service or other agency with tsunami warning responsibilities within any sovereign nation) and are interested in practicing their communication of tsunami threat information. International emergency management officials and other decision-makers may also find this lesson useful in understanding the extent to which tsunami threat information can be conveyed throughout a tsunami event. Learners will benefit from having knowledge and experience with tsunami events and PTWC text and graphical products.

 

Course Access

You can access the course here (MetEd login required).

 

Questions or Comments? 

We welcome any comments or questions you may have regarding the content, instructional approach, or use of this lesson. Please e-mail your comments or questions to Vanessa Vincente (vincente@ucar.edu). For technical support, please visit our Registration and Support FAQs: https://www.meted.ucar.edu/help