Global Historical Tsunami Database

Creators

Andrew Allegra, NOAAFollow

Description

The Historical Tsunami Database contains information on tsunami sources and locations where tsunami waves were observed by eyewitnesses, field reconnaissance surveys, tide gauges or deep-ocean sensors.

URL

https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazel/view/about

Start Year

2020

End Year

2024

Published Year

2023

Ocean

Atlantic

Country

USA

Case Product Name

Natural Hazards Data

Product Type

Data

Product Format

Data Service

Product URI

https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazard/tsu.shtml

Publisher

NOOA

Publisher City

Washington DC

Publisher Country

United States

Publisher/Distributor URL

https://www.noaa.gov/

User Type

Planners, Regulators, Researchers

Data Type

JSON, GEOJSON, CSV, Interactive Maps and Applications

Ecosystem Benefits, Human

The historical tsunami source and wave observation data as well as socioeconomic impact information are utilized during tsunami warning and emergency operations, mitigation, education, and resilience activities. The NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers, Tsunami Service Providers, and national Tsunami Warning Centers access the data to assist in decision-making during an event. This decision making may result in a local, regional or basin-wide Watch, Advisory, Warning, Evacuation. During post-event analysis and assessments, the historical database is relied upon for summary impacts and observations in relation to past events, which can contribute to lessons learned and support international collaboration following an event. Additionally, the historical data support response to media inquiries during and after a tsunami event. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO) and the U.S. National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (NTHMP) have requested NCEI to lead qualitative regional and national tsunami hazard assessments based on the historical tsunami database. The historical tsunami database is utilized by researchers, modelers and forecasters studying tsunami sources or location-specific wave effects. These users validate their models using historical tsunami data, thus, enhancements to tsunami data are vital to tsunami mitigation and forecasting. Similarly, professionals in the fields of land use planning, building codes, and structural engineering utilize historical tsunami data to develop guidance. Finally, the Historical Tsunami Database helps explain how often and where tsunami events have occurred. As a result, the historical data is used by educators and outreach specialists to help the general public and students to learn about and understand tsunami hazards in local communities.

Recommended Citation

Allegra, Andrew (2022) "Global Historical Tsunami Database," Benefits of Ocean Observing Catalog (BOOC): Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 52.
Available at: https://cbe.miis.edu/booc/vol2/iss1/52

Document Type

Article