Global Telecommunications System (GTS)

The collection of data and information from locally maintained and international earth data observation networks is a crucial function of national tsunami warning centers and regional tsunami watch providers. Warning centers and watch providers have three basic data and information collection requirements, which are to collect seismic and sea-level observational data; receive event impact reports from national, state, and local agencies, and the public; and share data and information with other warning centers. The primary data collection pathway for them is the Global Telecommunications System (GTS) of the World Meteorological Organization. The GTS is a global network for the transmission of meteorological data with standardized data formats and content from weather stations, satellites, and numerical weather prediction centers. The Indian Ocean countries have agreed to use the GTS as the regional communication system.

US IOTWS Contribution

Under the US IOTWS Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provided Sri Lanka and the Maldives with state-of-the-art communication systems in June 2007. The upgrade of GTS equipment supports the fast and reliable data exchange that is essential for responding to multi-hazard events, including tsunamis. The upgrades include the installation of a message switching system and meteorological workstations, replacing the previous communications links that were too slow to allow the two countries timely access to GTS data, such as observations from tide gauges, all-hazards data, watches, forecasts, warnings, and bulletins. Technical support from NOAA has also included training for operational staff and a one-year maintenance contract while longer-term capacity is built at the national centers.

Next Steps

The International Tsunami Training Institute (ITTI), which will be jointly conducted by the Asian Institute of Technology and the University of Washington, includes capacity building in GTS operations and maintenance. In addition, NOAA will continue to provide technical guidance for staff of the Maldives Meteorological Department and further develop warning capabilities that utilize the GTS upgrade in Sri Lanka.

For Further Information                           

Curt Barrett, NOAA National Weather Service (curt.barrett@noaa.gov)

http://www.weather.gov/tg/circuit.html

http://www.wmo.ch/pages/prog/www/TEM/GTS/gts.html

http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/ois/Operational_Information/ManOnGTS.html