History of Tsunami warning system in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 17, 2025

Tsunami warning systems (TWS) are designed to detect tsunamis and issue timely warnings to minimize loss of life and property damage. They consist of sensor networks for tsunami detection and a communication infrastructure for rapid alert dissemination. Two main types exist: international and regional systems. Seismic alerts initially trigger watches and warnings, which are then verified by sea level height data. Emerging research explores using T-wave energy characteristics to predict an earthquake's tsunami potential, enhancing warning accuracy.

April 1, 1946: 1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake and Tsunami

On April 1, 1946, the 1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake caused a tsunami which devastated Hilo, Hawaii. This event led to the development of more advanced tsunami warning systems.

1946: 1946 Aleutian Island earthquake and tsunami

In 1946, the Aleutian Island earthquake and resulting tsunami led to 165 casualties on Hawaii and in Alaska.

1949: Establishment of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC)

In 1949, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) was established by the United States NOAA in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.

May 23, 1960: 1960 Valdivia earthquake and Tsunami

On May 23, 1960, the 1960 Valdivia earthquake caused a tsunami which devastated Hilo, Hawaii. This event further spurred the development of more advanced tsunami warning systems.

1967: Founding of the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC)

In 1967, NOAA's National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) was founded in Palmer, Alaska.

July 12, 1993: Devastating Tsunami off the Coast of Hokkaidō, Japan

On July 12, 1993, a devastating tsunami occurred off the coast of Hokkaidō in Japan as a result of an earthquake, leading to significant loss of life on Okushiri Island.

2004: Establishment of INCOIS

In 2004, after being hit by an earthquake in Sumatra, the coasts of India were devastated by a massive tsunami, prompting the Government of India to set up the INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services).

2004: 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

In 2004, the Indian Ocean Tsunami caused almost 250,000 fatalities.

2004: Broadband seismometers registered signals after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami

Some days after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, broadband seismometers of India and Japan registered long-period signals.

January 2005: United Nations conference in Kobe, Japan

In January 2005, a United Nations conference was held in Kobe, Japan, and it was decided that an Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System should be established.

June 2005: Establishment of the ICG/NEAMTWS

In June 2005, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO Assembly established the Inter-governmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and connected Seas (ICG/NEAMTWS) during its 23rd Session, through Resolution XXIII.14.

November 2005: First United Session of the ICG/NEAMTWS

On 21 and 22 November 2005, the First United Session of the Inter-governmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and connected Seas (ICG/NEAMTWS) took place in Rome.

2005: Implementation of the Integrated Plate boundary Observatory Chile (IPOC)

In 2005, Chile began implementing the Integrated Plate boundary Observatory Chile (IPOC), a network of multiparameter stations for monitoring seismic activity.

March 2008: Planning of a Caribbean-wide tsunami warning system

In March 2008, representatives of Caribbean nations met in Panama City and planned to institute a Caribbean-wide tsunami warning system by the year 2010.

February 2010: Barbados to review tsunami protocol

In February 2010, Barbados planned to review or test its tsunami protocol as a regional pilot.

2010: IPOC recorded long-period signals after the 2010 Maule earthquake

In 2010, the long-base tiltmeters (LBTs) and the STS2 seismometer of the IPOC recorded long-period signals some days after the 2010 Maule earthquake.

2011: Tsunami warning during the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami

During the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Japan's tsunami warning system issued a warning within 3 minutes with the most serious rating on its warning scale, rated as a "major tsunami".

2012: Indonesia's Tsunami Warning System Fell Out of Service

In 2012, Indonesia's tsunami warning system fell out of service due to the detection buoys being no longer operational.

March 7, 2013: Unveiling of Improved Tsunami Warning System in Japan

On March 7, 2013, Japan unveiled an improved tsunami warning system following the 2011 disaster to better assess imminent tsunamis.

October 2013: Oceansat-2 Successfully Deployed to Predict Cyclone Phailin Landfall

In October 2013, the Oceansat-2 system was successfully deployed to predict the landfall and mitigate the effects of Cyclone Phailin.

2013: Simulations Highlighted Value of Tiltmeters and Seismometers for Tsunami Monitoring

In 2013, simulations on historical data highlighted that tiltmeters and broadband seismometers are valuable instruments for monitoring tsunamis in complement with tide gauge arrays.