In 1965, UNESCO formally validates the offer of the United States to extend their existing tsunami alert center in Honolulu to build the PTWC. The ICG/ITSY (International Coordination Group) and ITIC (International Tsunami Information Center) were establish to review the activities of the International Tsunami Warning System (ITWS) for the Pacific. The Tsunami alert system at the Pacific has become the core of a truly international system. Twenty eight nations are members of the ICG/ITSU: Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Ecuador, Fiji, France, Guatemala, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, United States, Russia and Western Samoa, in addition to other six nations incorporated recently.
Several nations and territories that are not members keep stations for the ITWS, and the tide watchers are also located in several islands of the Pacific.
How can I protect myself from a tsunami?
All tsunamis are potentially dangerous, although not all damage the coasts they strike. A tsunami can affect any place along the coasts of the United States. The most destructive tsunamis have happened along the coasts of California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii.
Earthquakes that shift the floor of the ocean often generate tsunamis. If a serious earthquake or landslide is produced near the coast, the first wave of several may arrive at the beach a few minutes later, even before an alert is issued. Areas at most risk are less than 25 feet from the sea level and within a mile from the coast. Drowning is the most common cause of death related to a tsunami. Waves and receding water are very destructive for the structures of the area. Other dangers include flooding, pollution of drinking water, fires and burst gas pipelines or tanks.
