Tsunami Workshop held in Trinidad & Tobago
By Department of Disaster Management, BVI
Wed, 4 Jul 2007, 14:18
Tortola, July 4, 2007 (DDM) – A tsunami warning and seismology training workshop organized by the University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Unit was held last week at the St. Augustine UWI campus. The 5-day workshop was designed to provide participants with an understanding of the science behind tsunami warnings and operational best practices of warning centers. The course included lectures and computer based practical exercises and consisted of 2 days of earthquake seismology followed by 3 days of tsunami training. Forty participants from various Caribbean countries participated in the workshop.
Mr. Jasen Penn, Emergency Communications Officer represented the DDM at the workshop. According to Mr. Penn “ one of the main objectives of the workshop was to develop a regional seismic network to increase the ability for Caribbean islands to share seismic data in the event of an earthquake, which would help enhance the links between Caribbean countries and provide a better warning system”. An underlying message throughout the workshop was the need for respective island countries to implement early warning systems to enhance regional alert mechanisms. The workshop was also a forum to share ideas on various strategies to better educate the public about the earthquake and tsunami hazard.
“The workshop was very beneficial and participants gathered information regarding the dynamics of a tsunami, stated Mr. Penn.
There were a number of recommendations coming out of the workshop, which included the enhancement of public education programmes in respective countries and the maintenance of forged links through training to facilitate the sharing of ideas
The BVI have partnered with Puerto Rico Seismic Network and Seismic Research Unit to ensure that the Territory will have access to tsunami warning notifications.
The workshop was sponsored jointly by UNESCO IOC, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance USAID/OFDA and the University of the West Indies.
Department of Disaster Management
#3 Wailing Road MacNamara
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Ph. 284-494-4499 Fax: 284-494-2024
E-Mail: bviddm@surfbv.com