THE ORGANIZATION
Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and connected Seas
On 21-22 November 2005, the Government of Italy supported and hosted in Rome, at Palazzo Taverna, the First Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and connected Seas (ICG/NEAMTWS), established by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Assembly during its 23rd Session in June 2005, through Resolution XXIII.14.
Outcomes of the meeting
The meeting, which was attended by more than 150 participants from 23 countries plus the European Commission, 13 organizations and numerous observers, launched a regional tsunami warning system that will integrate existing seismographic detection networks with real-time sea-level networks to be upgraded from existing ones. Several national and local warning systems under development will be fully integrated into this initiative. Nations committed themselves to work towards upgrading legislation and existing detection systems, and to develop integrated national emergency preparedness and awareness plans.
The Session nominated Italy as Chair of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group, position that will be served by Prof. Stefano Tinti, University of Bologna, for two years assisted by two Co-chairs, Morocco and Greece, positions that is being served by Dr. Azelbarab El Mouraouah, Coordinator, Centre Euro-Méditerranéen pour l’Evaluation et la Prévention du Risque Sismique – CEPRIS of Rabat, and Dr. Gerassimos Papadopoulos, National Observatory of Athens.
Follow up
Following the meeting, four working groups are addressing issues concerning the formulation and operationalization of a regional multi-hazard early warning system (hazard assessment, risk and modeling, seismic and geophysical measurements, sea level measurements, and advisory, mitigation and public awareness). The ICG has now adopted a complete plan of action for the period 2007-2011, including the implementation of key components of the early warning system by December 2007. In this context, Italy is also supporting the IOC Secretariat for the development of guidelines to incorporate marine hazards considerations into coastal planning.
The ICG adopted a preliminary list of facilities that qualify as regional tsunami watch centers. In this regard, Italy announced that it would provide a 24/7 processing and watch coverage of seismic data from the seas around Europe. These data are essential for the detection of offshore earthquakes that potentially generate tsunamis, and could significantly boost protection of Europe’s heavily developed and populated coastlines. The tsunami information bulletins will be provided by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), one of Europe’s largest research institutions in the field of geophysics, seismology and vulcanology. The INGV will thus serve as the system’s first hub for immediate data delivery and dissemination.
Links
UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission