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Tsunami Team Awarded CIRES Silver MedalJune 29, 2009 The 2008 CIRES Silver Medal was awarded to the Tsunami Team at NOAA’s National Geophysical Data Center for their work to improve tsunami forecasting and preparedness. After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed 230,000 people, displaced millions more and caused tens of billions of dollars in damage, NOAA was asked by Congress to improve its capability to address high-impact, low-probability natural hazards. Dr. Barry Eakins led a CIRES team of scientists located at NOAA’s National Geophysical Data Center, in collaboration with NOAA colleagues led by Dr. Susan McLean, in the effort to significantly improve their ability to forecast and warn against tsunami. The team identified areas most vulnerable to tsunami, enhanced future capability to identify and mitigate risk, and delivered quality data and information to a broad base of people and agencies. Together, they developed new methodologies and products to minimize the loss of life and damage to coastal communities at risk from tsunamis.
The CIRES team, from left, of Jesse Varner, Kelly Carignan, Pamela Medley, Barry Eakins, and Elliot Lim. Team member Ruth Brocko was unavailable. |
