PHIVOLCS-DOST hosted The International Training-Workshop on Tsunami Modeling

To contribute to the preparedness of countries prone to tsunami, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) in collaboration with the International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC), the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior (IASPEI), the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI), and the Working Group on Subduction Zones Located in Developing Countries (IASPEI-IAVCEI-WGSZLDC) hosted a training-workshop entitled “The International Training-Workshop on the Numerical Modeling of Tsunami for Developing Countries in Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean” on November 07-19, 2005 at the PHIVOLCS Building in Quezon City.

The participants came from countries like People’s Republic of China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The 10-day training-workshop was facilitated through series of lectures and hands-on computer exercises under the supervision of experts on tsunami modeling namely Dr. Modesto Ortiz (CICESE-Centro de Investigacion Cientifica y de Educacion Superior de Ensenada, Mexico) and Dr. Yuichiro Tanioka (Hokkaido University, Japan).

The objectives of the training-workshop are (1) to provide the participants the opportunity to acquire knowledge in the field of tsunami numerical modeling to help them estimate tsunami height, inundation or flood, and arrival time information, which are all important and crucial for warning and planning realistic evacuation routes; and (2) to equip the participants the necessary skills to carry out a tsunami mitigation research in their home institutions upon their return. Hence, at the end of the activity, each of the participants should be able to present a tentative plan of action for their corresponding countries.

The opening ceremonies was held on November 08 at 8 a.m. The occasion was graced by Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. (Director, PHIVOLCS-DOST), Dr. Rogelio A. Panlasigui (Undersecretary for Research and Development, DOST-Department of Science and Technology), Ret. Gen. Glenn J. Rabonza (Administrator, OCD-Office of Civil Defense; Executive Director, NDCC-National Disaster Coordinating Council), Dr. Sri Widiyantoro (President, WGSZLDC), and keynote speaker Dr. Laura S.L. Kong (Director, ITIC).

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