For Northwest Pacific Tsunami Advisory messages click here.

Establishment of Northwest Pacific Tsunami Information Center

Masahiro Yamamoto
Director, Earthquake and Tsunami Observations Division
Japan Meteorological Agency

When an earthquake greater than Magnitude 7 takes place in the Northwest Pacific area, the NWPTIC will initially provide earthquake location and magnitude. The NWPTIC will also provide information for each coastal area on an expected tsunami arrival time and an expected potential tsunami wave height extracted from a pre-calculated tsunami database. As data are received, the Center will also provide information on the observed and reported tsunami wave height (see attached map of Tsunami Forecast Blocks). The first information is expected to be provided within about 20 minutes of the earthquake’s occurrence.

All information disseminated from the NWPTIC shall be delivered to the relevant authorities as specified in the ITSU Communication Plan and be utilized for the mitigation of tsunami disasters. The Center plans to send the information over the Global Telecommunication System (GTS/WMO), and by e-mail and Fax. The establishment of reliable, easy, and quick communication procedures and protocols between the NWPTIC and each country will be essential for the timely communication of tsunami information. The acquisition of additional seismological and sea level data in the region in real or near-real time will be critical for improving the quality and timeliness of the earthquake characterization and the evaluation of its tsunamigenic potential. Cooperation and collaboration between the JMA, PTWC, ITIC and all Pacific countries in the timely and open sharing of data and communication of information messages will be essential for a successful implementation of the NWPTIC.