Caribbean
According to historical records, potentially destructive tsunamis strike the Caribbean region once per century, with this figure doubling for certain areas of higher seismic or volcanic activity.
Although some parts of this sea basin have no records of destructive tsunamis, it is a fact that all coastal areas are at risk of such events, which is why mitigation and awareness measures must be taken across the entire Caribbean region.
Member States
Tsunami Ready
Communities recognised Tsunami Ready across the Caribbean Sea basin:
- Antigua & Barbuda
- St John's
- Barbados
- Christ Church West
- Shermans, St Lucy to Mullins, St Peter
- France
- Deshaies
- Grenada
- Carriacou & Petite Martinique
- St Patrick
- Haiti
- Fort-Liberte
- Honduras
- Omoa
- Tornabe/Tela
- Jamaica
- Old Harbour Bay
- Nicaragua
- Bluefields
- Corn Island
- Saint Kitts & Nevis
- Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
- Saint George
- Union Island
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Carenage
- United Kingdom
- Anguilla
- British Virgin Islands
Caribe Wave Exercises
Regular Wave Exercises are essential to test the operational readiness of response agencies and keep the public informed and prepared for the real event, especially in light of the infrequent occurrence of tsunamis. Caribe Wave Exercises have been carried out across the Caribbean Sea basin every March since 2011.
Tsunami Service Providers
Tsunami Service Providers (TSPs) evaluate international tsunami risk and issue information thanks to a dedicated and redundant round-the-clock monitoring of seismic and sea level indicators.
Member States receive such info and are responsible for issuing internal warnings through their National Tsunami Warning Centres (NTWCs) or designated authorities based on their own analysis, on TSPs' advisory messages, or on a combination of all.
The Caribbean region's TSP is:
- United States of America | National Tsunami Warning Center