Working Group on Tsunamis and Other Ocean Hazards Related to Sea Level Warning and Mitigation Systems (TOWS-WG)

This document reports on a meeting which reviewed progress on coordinated development and implementation activities on warning and mitigation systems for tsunamis and other sea-level related hazards. It includes a draft compendium of definitions and terminology on hazards, disasters, vulnerability and risks, which includes basic as well as specialized concepts and is aimed to serve as a reference document. It also reviews data exchange policies in order to enhance tsunami warning systems timeliness as well as precision and data quality. At last, it reaffirms the value of a multi-hazard approach to maintaining a vital tsunami warning system at local, national and regional levels.

The document reports on the third meeting of the Working Group on Tsunamis and Other Hazards Related to Sea-Level Warning and Mitigation Systems (TOWS-WG-III), which was held in Lisbon, Portugal, on 5-6 May 2010, and hosted by the Portuguese Instituto de Meteorologia, under the chairmanship of Mr Sang-Kyung Byun (IOC Vice-chairman).