Congressional Interest in Tsunamis in 2005

In December, 2004 a massive earthquake in Indonesia triggered tsunamis that swept across the Indian Ocean, doing enormous damage and causing great loss of life. The event triggered the creation of an Indian Ocean tsunami warning system by UNESCO's International Oceanographic Commission and its partners. It also triggered interest by the U.S. Congress in other tsunami warning systems, especially those that might protect the United States. Given the key role of UNESCO in catalyzing networks of international cooperation in oceanography and seismology, it is not surprising that its programs came up for discussion in the hearings.

• Read the 109th Congress House Hearings: TSUNAMIS: IS THE U.S. PREPARED?
• Read the 109 Senate Hearings: U.S. TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM AND S. 50, ``THE TSUNAMI PREPAREDNESS ACT OF 2005''