Tsunami early warning coordination centres [chapter]

J. Santos-Reyes, A.N. Beard
2013 Tsunami  
Following the tsunami disaster in 2004, the General Secretary of the United Nations (UN) Kofi Annan called for a 'global early warning system' for all hazards and for all communities. He also requested the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and its UN partners to conduct a global survey of capacities, gaps and opportunities in relation to 'early warning systems'. The produced report, 'Global Survey of Early Warning Systems', concluded that there are many gaps and shortcomings and
more » ... much progress has been made on early warning systems and great capabilities are available around the world. However, it may be argued that an 'early warning system' (EWS) may not be enough to prevent fatalities due to tsunami. That is, an EWS should be seen as part of a 'total disaster management system'. Moreover, it may be argued that an EWS may work very well when assessed individually but it is less clear whether it will contribute to accomplish the purpose of a 'total disaster management system' when assessed as a 'whole', that is, to prevent fatalities. There is a need for a systemic approach to 'tsunami early warning systems'. The chapter presents a model for a 'tsunami early warning system'.
doi:10.2495/978-1-84564-770-4/004 fatcat:xlwembqts5galioht3yjkeqxei