There is not a National Tsunamis Warning System in our country but when a local tsunami hazard exists the Oceanographic Institute of the Ecuadorian Navy identifies and characterizes this events, from the information provided by the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute, this information is given from immediate source area.

The goals for the present year are to conform the Local Warning System from the flood risk maps. At this moment we have obtained an agreement between the Institute of Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute and INOCAR in order to be able to work of joint way, efficient and effective.

What is the threshold for declaring a potential local tsunami emergency?

Actually, there is not a threshold for declaring a potential local tsunami emergency. We have working in that since 2002, when the Group at ITSU-XVI changed and approved the warning magnitude threshold (M=7.0 to M=7.5).

During the visit of Emilio Lorca we were looking for the possibility of establishing these thresholds. We have begun from an pilot area that in this case is Esmeraldas, where we have actually begun to develop a tsunamis Mitigation Plan and the first step has been to make the city flood map.

What organization acts on the information provided by the agency responsible for characterizing the potential local tsunami threat?

Civil Defense together the Naval Force informs to the coastal civil authorities the possible that Tsunami occurrence in order to alert the civil population and to organize the evacuation in the riskiest flood areas.

A very important part of the process is accomplished by the Port Captaincies. They together the Civil Defense are in charge of keeping the population alert during Tsunami event occurrence.

How is the emergency situation terminated?

Civil Defense and Naval Force have been sending the necessary bulletins during emergencies. Finally Captaincies and Civil Defense will give to population when alert situation ended.

5. Distant Tsunami Procedures.(when distant tsunami hazard exists)

What organization becomes aware of tsunamigenic events from a distant source?

INOCAR becomes aware of tsunamigenic events from a distant source.

What action does this organization take with regard to tsunamigenic events from a distant source?

Once INOCAR receives the alert, this is retransmit by phone and other ways to Port Captaincies and Civil Defense Agencies in the coast. They will prepare population for arriving tsunami according to messages.

What are the criteria for initing tsunami mitigation procedures?

In generally, INOCAR receives messages from PTWC, but when INOCAR has received messages from other sources, these messages would to be investigated and confirmed with bulletins PTWC for giving the alert.

What actions were taken in response to warning issued by PTWC during the intersessional period?

During the intersesional period, INOCAR liked to improve this local warning system step by step. We have been beginning by developing a flooding map by tsunamis in Esmeraldas City.

In May of the 2002 INOCAR participated in The ITIC Visiting Experts Program in Honolulu, Hawaii. Later we have been supporting by ITIC to reproduce three types of bulletins designed for our Tsunamis National Prevention and Mitigation Program. Besides in February we have been supporting for our representative training in CICESE-Ensenada- Mexico that was in charge of Dr Modesto Ortiz.

At the moment we have been incorporating Tsunami inundation maps on local urban map of Esmeraldas with vertical resolution of 1-m showing the distribution of constructions and use of land, then we will develop an Mitigation Plan based on vulnerability to tsunami flooding found along Esmeraldas coast.

6. National Sea Level network.(Please include a table with position and description of stations/sensors).

The current net of tidal and meteorological stations that are administrated by the Oceanographic Institute of the Navy (INOCAR) it is constituted by the following stations:

PORT

LATITUDE

LONGITUDE

TEAM

Limones

1° 15.0´N

78° 59.0´W

GS-98 (STEVENS)

San Lorenzo

1° 18.0´N

78° 50.0´W

GS-98 (STEVENS)

**Esmeraldas

0° 59.0´N

79° 39.0´W

AXSYS – SDI (STEVENS)

Bahía de Caráquez

0° 36.0´S

80° 25.0´W

GS-98 (STEVENS)

Manta

0° 56.0´S

80° 43.0´W

GS-98 (STEVENS)

** La Libertad

2° 13.0´S

80° 54.0´W

AXSYS – SDI (STEVENS)

Data de Posorja

2° 42.0´ S

80° 15.0´W

GS-98 (STEVENS)

Pto. Nuevo Guayaquil

2° 16.0´S

79° 55.0´W

GS-98 (STEVENS)

Puná

2° 44.0´S

79° 55.0´W

GS-98 (STEVENS)

Pto. Bolívar

3° 16.0´

80° 00.0´W

GS-98 (STEVENS)

* Isla Baltra

0° 27.0 S

90° 17.0´W

HANMAR - STEVENS/NOAA

* Isla Santa Cruz

0° 45.0´S

90° 17.0´W

HANMAR – STEVENS/NOAA

* Platforms equipped with sensors of tides, of the NOAA

**Automatized stations. Transmition in real time.

7. Information on Tsunami occurrences. (Please include records, pictures, etc.)

SUMMARY

(Brief of no more than one page addressing all items discussed in the Narrative section of the National Report, to be publish in the ITIC Tsunami Newsletter and website)

Actually Ecuador doesn't has a Tsunamis Warning System, but it coordinates with the International System, the alerts emission. Oceanographic Institute of Ecuadorian Navy is responsible by receiving directly from PTWC and then it communicates to the Port Captaincies and Civil Defense Agencies. Together they have been charged for keeping the population alert during Tsunami event occurrence.

To develop our Local Warning System, we have been working very hard to establishing this and to establish suitable thresholds. In the course of this period, the Oceanographic Institute of the Navy has acquired new tide meters, to renovate all the stations. INOCAR has two automated stations, they are located in Esmeraldas and La Libertad. They have been transmitting the data in real time very well.

NARRATIVE

(Detailed description of innovations or modifications to National tsunami warnings procedures or operations since last National Report. Tsunami research projects on mitigation, as well as public education Programs or other measures taken to heighten awareness of the tsunami hazard and risk)

Since the last months of 2002 INOCAR has been developing a TSUNAMI PREVENTION AND MITIGATION PLAN FOR ESMERALDAS CITY PROJECT. Study Geographical Location is Esmeraldas city in northwest of Ecuador.

The main Objectives of the Project are:

· Tsunamis Prevention and Mitigation Hazards, based in Flood maps elaboration using mathematical models and other methodologies.

· In order to find Adequate Answers based in Formulate plans and execute education Programs for the population in order to efficiently respond before a tsunami and mitigate its effects.

· Training to responsible authorities in required areas, Carry out evacuation exercises as fundamental part of the prevention programs.

· Risk reduction based in Vulnerability studies and flood maps

Tsunamis Hazard Reduction in Esmeraldas City, safeguarding the population life, properties, and installed infrastructure in order to maintain the country socioeconomic development

Our Goals are:

· Reduce the population affected by tsunamis, as well as the public infrastructure and facilities located in zones of high risk.

· Educate population to be prepared before seismic events in a direct way in the risk cities, using educating material, etc.

Results

During the first months person in charge for the project has obtained a training in the development of flood maps with ITIC and CICESE support.

The 12 December 1979 Colombia tsunami was simulated adequately as it was indicated by the comparison of the recorded and simulated tsunami and we found more vulnerable places in Esmeraldas.

Finally Tsunami inundation maps will be incorporated on local urban map of Esmeraldas with vertical high resolution. We thought to make these activities the last months at the present year.

Updated: 19.08.08 Writer: Tammy Kaitoku Hits:4956