1. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 1 U. Washington Tsunami Certificate Program Course 2: Tsunami Warning Systems Session 1 Tsunami Warning System Overview and Seismic Data Acquisition July 25, 2007 1:15-2:45pm

2. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 2 Outline Part 1 – TWS Overview Tsunami Warning Systems –History –Philosophy Challenges Warning Center Functions Part 2 – Seismic Data Acquisition Seismometry Networks Station Distribution Exercise

3. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 3 Part 1 - Tsunami Warning Systems - History in the United States 1949 Honolulu Observatory established –Co-located with existing Magnetics Observatory –Used data sent via teletype from seismic observatories –Established in time for major tsunamis of the 50s/60s 1967 Alaska Tsunami Warning System established –Followed tsunami destruction due to 1964 Gulf of Alaska earthquake –Originally 3 centers; later combined into 1. 1968 Pacific Tsunami Warning Center established –Officially expanded scope of Honolulu Observatory to other nations

4. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 4 Tsunami Warning System History in the United States

5. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 5 Tsunami Warning Systems Non-U.S. Centers –Japan –Russia –French Polynesia –Chile Systems developing as a result of 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami –For example; Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, … –Caribbean Conclusion –Devastating Tsunami leads to Establishment of a Tsunami Warning Center

6. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 6 Tsunami Warning System - Philosophy Main Purpose –Issue Warning prior to wave impact on coast –Protect life and property from tsunami hazard by providing tsunami information and warning bulletins to the Area-of-Responsibility Problem –Wave usually can not be observed prior to impact at near locations Answer –Issue warning based on associated phenomena (ground shaking and displacement – seismic data) which triggers the wave Problem –There is not a direct correspondence between the ground shaking and tsunami impact Reality –Warnings are often issued with no ensuing wave.

7. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 7 Tsunami Warning Systems – What is it?

8. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 8 Tsunami Warning Systems – Basic components –Tsunami Warning Centers Acquire Data Process and Analyze Disseminate Information –Communication Pathways Robust Multiple Tested –Local Emergency Response Ready to Respond through planning and exercises Receive Warnings from TWC Disseminate to local populations Provide public education

9. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 9 Tsunami Warning Systems – Challenges –Can not monitor phenomena prior to nearest impact –Warning communications to those at highest risk –Hazard definition –Local emergency response Rare events at any given location Many threats for which to prepare Short response time Poorly educated public

10. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 10 Tsunami Warning Centers Data acquisition –Seismic –Sea level Process and Analyze –Initial processing based on seismic data –Decision’s based on processed data and protocols –Post-process seismic data –Analyze sea level data in conjunction with historic and pre-computed models Disseminate Information –Use all available emergency alert systems –Evacuation decisions made by state/local authorities

11. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 11 Tsunami Warning Centers - Data Acquisition Seismic –Virtual network –Multiple data paths –Redundancy

12. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 12 Tsunami Warning Centers - Data Acquisition Sea Level –Virtual network –Satellite data transmission –Many formats –Many instrument types –Coastal tide gages and DART

13. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 13 Tsunami Warning Centers - Data Processing –Seismic –Sea level –GIS – Data bases –Forecasting –Message/graphic generation

14. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 14 Tsunami Warning Centers - Data Processing Seismic data processing –Initial processing Location Depth Magnitude –Post-processing Refine Magnitude Moment tensor (~ 15 minutes) Mantle magnitude determined

15. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 15 Tsunami Warning Centers - Data Processing Sea level –Display Strip-chart view Detail view –Analysis De-tide signal Low pass filter Measure tsunami

16. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 16 Tsunami Warning Centers - Data Processing GIS and data bases –Overlay historical data –Compute tsunami travel times –Create web graphics –Interface forecast models

17. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 17 Tsunami Warning Centers - Data Processing Forecasting –Assimilate observed tsunamis into pre-computed models –Adjust models based on observations –Use forecast to dictate supplemental messages –Observations can also be compared with historical data to forecast impact

18. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 18 Tsunami Warning Centers - Data Processing Message Generation –Based on source parameters Text products generated automatically Conform to NWS and WMO standards –Graphics generated by GIS Experimental

19. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 19 Tsunami Warning Centers – Disseminate Information Message Dissemination –Primary National Warning System NOAA Weather Wire NWS gateway FAA system –Secondary Email RSS FAX SMS messaging Web site USGS

20. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 20 Tsunami Warning Center - Staffing WC/ATWC –9 Watchstanders –1 IT specialist –2 Electronics technicians –1 Admin Support –1 Director –1 Deputy Director Center staffed 24x7x2 Staff activities –Day-to-day operations –Scenario training –Communications testing –Development projects –Outreach

21. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 21 Tsunami Warning System - Summary 1.Tsunami warning centers and systems historically have been developed in response to devastating tsunamis. 2.Tsunami warning systems are different from most natural hazard warning systems in that the phenomena itself can not normally be observed prior to impact. 3.Tsunami Warning Systems consist of: 1.Tsunami Warning Center 2.Message Communication Paths 3.Emergency Response Organizations 4.Tsunami Warning Centers basic functions are: 1.Data Acquisition 2.Data processing and analysis 3.Message Dissemination

22. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 22 Part 2 – Seismic Data Acquisition Seismometer –An instrument which records earth vibrations –Converts ground shaking energy into an electrical signal –Extremely sensitive –Output is proportional to ground displacement, velocity or acceleration depending on instrument –Moving coil around magnet generates current –Modern seismometers use electronic force feedback to gain wide spectral response –Signal is normally digitized on site

23. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 23 Similar to our eyes not seeing the entire electromagnetic spectrum in sunlight, seismometers only “see” a portion of earthquake energy. (USGS slide)

24. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 24 EQUIVALENT EARTH PEAK ACCELERATION ( 20 LOG M/SEC 2 ) PERIOD (SECONDS) More than one seismometer is necessary to “see” the entire earthquake energy spectrum (USGS slide)

25. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 25 Seismic Data Acquisition Seismometer installations –Desired site characteristics: Low cultural noise levels Reliable source of power No vandalism Ability to “see” communications satellite Bedrock at or near surface Long term permitted site Easy accessibility for maintenance No overlap with other networks –Data transmission Private VSAT Satellite internet Dedicated circuits Radio

26. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 26 WC/ATWC Seismometer vault at Middleton I., Alaska

27. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 27 Seismic Waves Seismology Basics –Three basic types of waves generated by earthquakes Primary (P) Secondary (S) Surface –P waves are sound waves traveling through the earth (the fastest wave) –S waves travel about 60% as fast as P waves –Surface waves area a little slower than S waves –More energy is transmitted in S and Surface waves than P waves

28. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 28 Seismic Waves Body Waves – travel through the earth –P Waves Sound Waves Particle motion in the direction of propagation –S Waves Particle motion perpendicular to the direction of propagation Generally caries more energy than the P wave Surface Waves – travel around earth’s surface –Rayleigh Waves Elliptical motion in direction of propagation Size of ellipse related to wave period Dispersive – peak velocity at about 50s period –Love Waves

29. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 29 Seismic Networks 2004 Sumatra earthquake recorded on several stations of the IRIS Global Seismic Network (USGS slide)

30. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 30 Seismic Networks Tsunami Warning Centers use available networks to create virtual global networks Global networks –IRIS Global Seismic Network –CTBTO National networks –US NSN –Canadian network –Etc. Regional networks –S. California Seismic Network –Pacific Northwest Seismic Network –Etc.

31. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 31

32. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 32

33. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 33 IRIS Global Seismic Network

34. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 34

35. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 35

36. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 36 Seismic Data Transmission Redundancy is the key –Use redundant path to critical networks No single path is 100% reliable –Create virtual network out of overlapping regional networks Reduces dependency on any one network and its server –Utilize two data import computers Each connects to a network through a separate path

37. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 37 Seismic Data Acquisition at the WC/ATWC

38. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 38 Seismic Network Density for Tsunami Warning Systems Seismic network variables which influence TWC response time –Station Density X stations within Ykm from a given location –Station Uptime Percentage of time station is operating –Data Latency Length of time it takes for signal to arrive at center –Data quality Broadband versus short period These values are the main factors which control a tsunami warning center’s response time Response time is the length of time it takes after an earthquake origin to issue a message

39. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 39 Seismic Network Density for Tsunami Warning Systems Seismic Network requirements for a Tsunami Warning Center to issue a message within five minutes –Station Density 12 evenly distributed stations within 900km of source (2 minute P-wave travel time) –Station Uptime 80% station uptime –Data Latency Up to 30s latency –Data quality Broadband, digital signal

40. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 40 Seismic Network Density for Tsunami Warning Systems Given the station requirements on the previous slide, a warning timeline response is: –150s to record signal on 9 to 10 stations Based on 12 stations within 900 km of epicenter with 80% station uptime and up to 30s latency –60s to record enough signal after the P to determine magnitude Using the Mwp moment magnitude technique –30s extra for analyst review Need well-trained and experienced analysts –60s to compose and review appropriate message Must be automated message generation

41. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 41 Seismic Network Density for Tsunami Warning Systems Warning Response Timeline can be compressed by: –Increasing station density –Reducing data latency –Reducing station downtime –Decreasing analyst process, review and message generation time There is a limit to decreasing response times –Large earthquakes have source process times of over 100 seconds –There is an increased danger of false alarms as analyst review time decreases

42. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 42

43. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 43 Seismic Data Acquisition - Summary 1.Seismic data are critical to operations at tsunami warning centers 2.Broadband data provides a more realistic view of earthquake source properties than band limited data 3.Many networks are available to feed seismic data to tsunami warning centers and the amount of available data is increasing. 4.Redundancy is important for seismic data feeds so that a TWC is not left blind by the outage of one network 5.The density, quality, and reliability of seismic data controls a tsunami warning center’s response time

44. Paul Whitmore, NOAA/NWS West Coast/Alaska TWC, July 25, 2007 UW Educational Outreach – Tsunami Science & Preparedness Program (Su 07) Sponsored by NOAA and USAID under the U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program Page 44 Seismic Data Acquisition: References USGS Seismology and Tsunami Warnings Training Course – CD - 2006