Solution

Tsunami Mapping, Modeling, Mitigation, Planning and Education Efforts

This solution addresses Vulnerable coastal populations, property damage in US Pacific Ocean coastal regions for tax payers, government officials, Derek

Problem Description

This solution deals with the potential threats associated with tsunamis, particularly those on the US Pacific Coast. After increased recognition of tsunami threat from events such as the April 1992 earthquake and tsunami on the Cascadia Subduction Zone in northern California, congressional action established the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (NTHMP). The program revealed a serious lack of preparedness for potential tsunami events. Since it's conception, it has worked on not only detection and forecasting, but mitigation, education, and preparedness as well.

Building Blocks

Story

The NTHMP has completed work in many different areas since it's on-boarding in 1995. Things includes everything from developing evacuation plans and warning systems, to mapping out key subduction zones. In a particular at-risk state, Oregon, Inundation maps (flooding maps) have been created for highly populated zones such as Cannon Beach and Pacific City. But resiliency and mititgation is never a task that is over, and there still remains much important work to do. Moving forward, the NTHMP will continue to improve tsunami response through a diversified array of programs and actions.

Photos

Resources

Homepage
NTHMP website homepage

Organisations Involved

Contributed By

Grant Cooper, NOAA/National Weather Service Western Region
Nathan Wood, USGS - Portland, OR

Solution Stage

One of the 7 stages of an innovation. Learn more

STAGE	SPECIALIST SKILLS REQUIRED	EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES	RISK LEVEL AND HANDLING	FINANCE REQUIRED	KINDS OF EVIDENCE GENERATED	GOAL
Growing scaling and spreading6	Strong leadership, management, implementation skills	Business or organisational growth Franchising Licensing Legislation Spreading ideas Transferring practice	Fidelity assessments may be important Strong capacity needed to ensure transfer of practice MEDIUM	Equity, loans, payment by results, social impact bonds HIGH	Evidence derived from evaluations in multiple sites, and independently run randomised control trials	Innovation or impact at scale

Submitted By

Bryan Lehrer