The Australian region observes a tsunami once every other year.
Todd Smith, National Decision Support Lead for tsunami and coastal hazards, explains what happens at the bureau when a tsunami, or possible tsunami, is detected.
The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre
The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) manages tsunamis in Australia.
"This is a partnership between the bureau and Geoscience Australia," Todd said.
"Earthquakes are responsible for about 80% of tsunamis. This makes seismic monitoring an important part of tsunami detection."
"Geoscience Australia provides us with the earthquake information, and then we ask - what does that mean for tsunami risk?"
"Once the bureau has been notified of an earthquake that has the potential of causing a tsunami, we monitor ocean activity via buoys that can detect as much as a half millimetre change in ocean levels."
'If the bureau detects a possible tsunami threat, we will issue a Tsunami Warning on behalf of the JATWC. Those warnings go out to emergency services, and out to the public via our website, our social media channels and our app," he said.
If the bureau does not identify a threat, we will issue a National Tsunami No Threat Bulletin via the same channels.
Deployment of a deep-ocean tsunami detection buoy
Communicating with key partners
Todd is also the manager of the Hazard Preparedness and Response team in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. This team sits outside the JATWC. However, they are also involved in tsunami responses.
"We swing into gear because we become that key liaison point between the JATWC that's issuing the warnings, and our emergency management customers who are making decisions about evacuations," Todd said.
Todd's team call emergency services, establish communication channels and then act as the conduit if there's any questions around the warning or if they want an evacuation zone included.
Both the JATWC and Hazard Preparedness and Response teams remain active throughout the tsunami event, adjusting warnings and informing emergency partners as required.
