Special recommendations on CAP for tsunamis
Structured tsunami parameters
A tsunami alert ideally includes some or all of the following information:
- Wave arrival times, heights, and locations
- Times and heights should include both predicted values and observed values. For heights, these can be either exact (e.g. "0.5m") or a range (e.g. "0.3m - 0.5m"). For times, these must be exact (e.g. 2012-04-11T17:00:13-07:00).
- Locations must be given as points with a latitude and longitude in order for Google Public Alerts to display arrival times and heights. Location names should be unique and user-friendly.
- Coastal segment shapes, which can be provided as shapefiles or KMLs as long as the geocode name is in the file
- Rich media resources such as an energy maps or travel time maps
Other formats
Because the OASIS CAP specification doesn't have guidelines for how alert issuers should provide tsunami-specific information, we have identified formats that we've worked with before and are therefore compatible with Google Public Alerts. Please reach out to us at google-public-alerts@google.com for detailed examples.
NWS National Tsunami Warning Center Tsunami Advisory
<alert xmlns="urn:oasis:names:tc:emergency:cap:1.2">
<identifier>PAAQ-14-nuskyv</identifier>
<sender>ntwc@noaa.gov</sender>
<sent>2015-09-17T11:41:21-00:00</sent>
<status>Actual</status>
<msgType>Update</msgType>
<source>NTWC</source>
<scope>Public</scope>
<code>IPAWSv1.0</code>
<references>
ntwc@noaa.gov,PAAQ-1-nuskyv,2015-09-16T23:01:55-00:00 ntwc@noaa.gov,PAAQ-2-nuskyv,2015-09-16T23:26:48-00:00 ntwc@noaa.gov,PAAQ-3-nuskyv,2015-09-17T00:29:26-00:00 ntwc@noaa.gov,PAAQ-4-nuskyv,2015-09-17T01:43:43-00:00 ntwc@noaa.gov,PAAQ-5-nuskyv,2015-09-17T02:38:25-00:00 ntwc@noaa.gov,PAAQ-6-nuskyv,2015-09-17T03:37:00-00:00 ntwc@noaa.gov,PAAQ-7-nuskyv,2015-09-17T04:42:58-00:00 ntwc@noaa.gov,PAAQ-8-nuskyv,2015-09-17T05:41:04-00:00 ntwc@noaa.gov,PAAQ-9-nuskyv,2015-09-17T06:41:41-00:00 ntwc@noaa.gov,PAAQ-10-nuskyv,2015-09-17T07:43:48-00:00 ntwc@noaa.gov,PAAQ-11-nuskyv,2015-09-17T08:45:58-00:00 ntwc@noaa.gov,PAAQ-12-nuskyv,2015-09-17T09:44:37-00:00 ntwc@noaa.gov,PAAQ-13-nuskyv,2015-09-17T10:46:42-00:00</references>
<incidents>nuskyv</incidents>
<info>
<category>Geo</category>
<event>Tsunami Advisory</event>
<responseType>Prepare</responseType>
<urgency>Immediate</urgency>
<severity>Moderate</severity>
<certainty>Likely</certainty>
<onset>2015-09-17T11:41:21-00:00</onset>
<expires>2015-09-17T14:11:21-00:00</expires>
<senderName>NWS National Tsunami Warning Center Palmer AK</senderName>
<headline>The tsunami Advisory remains in effect for the coastal areas of California from San Onofre State Beach, California (45 miles SE of L.A.) to Ragged Point, California (50 miles NW of San Luis Obispo).</headline>
<description>The tsunami Advisory remains in effect for the coastal areas of California from San Onofre State Beach, California (45 miles SE of L.A.) to Ragged Point, California (50 miles NW of San Luis Obispo). - Event details: Preliminary magnitude 8.3 (MWP) earthquake / Lat: -31.500, Lon: -72.000 at 2015-09-16T22:54:31 UTC Tsunami advisories mean that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to people in or very near the water is expected. Significant widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boats, and coastal structures and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival. </description>
<instruction> If you are in an advisory area - move off the beach and out of harbors and marinas. Widespread inundation of land is not expected for advisory areas. Be alert to instructions from your local emergency officials. Do not go to the coast to observe the tsunami. Do not return to the coast until local emergency officials indicate it is safe to do so.Next update and additional information: This message will be updated in 60 minutes or sooner if the situation warrants. The tsunami message will remain in effect until further notice. Refer to the internet site ntwc.arh.noaa.gov for more information.</instruction>
<web>http://ntwc.arh.noaa.gov/events/PAAQ/2015/09/16/nuskyv/14/WEAK51/WEAK51.txt</web>
<parameter>
<valueName>EventLocationName</valueName>
<value>off the coast of central Chile</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>EventPreliminaryMagnitude</valueName>
<value>8.3</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>EventPreliminaryMagnitudeType</valueName>
<value>MWP</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>EventOriginTime</valueName>
<value>2015-09-16T22:54:31-00:00</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>EventDepth</valueName>
<value>10 kilometers</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>EventLatLon</valueName>
<value>-31.500,-72.000 0.000</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>VTEC</valueName>
<value>/O.CON.PAAQ.TS.Y.0021.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>NWSUGC</valueName>
<value>CAZ040-041-552-087-549-550-039-034-035-171311-</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>ProductDefinition</valueName>
<value>Tsunami advisories mean that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to people in or very near the water is expected. Significant widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boats, and coastal structures and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival. </value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>WEAK51</valueName>
<value>Public Tsunami Warnings, Watches, and Advisories for AK, BC, and US West Coast</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>EAS-ORG</valueName>
<value>WXR</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Catalina Island, CA";2015-09-17T04:39:26-07:00;33.3;-118.3;CA087;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"Catalina Island, CA";"0.030m 0.098ft";33.3;-118.3;CA087;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County Central Coa, CA";2015-09-17T04:52:26-07:00;34.4;-120.5;CA035;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Los Angeles County Coast includi, CA";2015-09-17T04:55:26-07:00;33.8;-118.2;CA041;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"Los Angeles County Coast includi, CA";"0.310m 1.017ft";33.8;-118.2;CA041;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County Mountains, CA";2015-09-17T04:55:26-07:00;34.5;-120.2;CA052;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County Mountains, CA";"0.080m 0.262ft";34.5;-120.2;CA052;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Ventura County Coast, CA";2015-09-17T04:56:26-07:00;34.1;-119.2;CA040;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"Ventura County Coast, CA";"0.090m 0.295ft";34.1;-119.2;CA040;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Ventura County Coast, CA";2015-09-17T04:57:26-07:00;34.2;-119.2;CA040;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"Ventura County Coast, CA";"0.100m 0.328ft";34.2;-119.2;CA040;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Los Angeles County Coast includi, CA";2015-09-17T04:59:26-07:00;33.8;-118.2;CA041;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"Los Angeles County Coast includi, CA";"0.230m 0.755ft";33.8;-118.2;CA041;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County Mountains, CA";2015-09-17T07:53:31-07:00;34.4;-119.9;CA052;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County Mountains, CA";"0.090m 0.295ft";34.4;-120.0;CA052;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County Central Coa, CA";2015-09-17T05:01:26-07:00;34.7;-120.6;CA035;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County Central Coa, CA";"0.160m 0.525ft";34.7;-120.6;CA035;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County South Coast, CA";2015-09-17T05:03:26-07:00;34.4;-119.8;CA039;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County South Coast, CA";"0.070m 0.230ft";34.4;-119.8;CA039;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"San Luis Obispo County Interior, CA";2015-09-17T05:06:26-07:00;35.2;-120.9;CA037;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"San Luis Obispo County Interior, CA";"0.070m 0.230ft";35.2;-120.9;CA037;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County South Coast, CA";2015-09-17T05:06:26-07:00;34.4;-119.7;CA039;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County South Coast, CA";"0.150m 0.492ft";34.4;-119.7;CA039;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County Central Coa, CA";2015-09-17T05:09:26-07:00;34.9;-120.6;CA035;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County Central Coa, CA";"0.280m 0.919ft";34.9;-120.6;CA035;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Ventura County Coast, CA";2015-09-17T05:11:26-07:00;34.3;-119.3;CA040;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"Ventura County Coast, CA";"0.240m 0.787ft";34.3;-119.3;CA040;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"San Luis Obispo County Interior, CA";2015-09-17T05:10:26-07:00;35.2;-120.8;CA037;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"San Luis Obispo County Interior, CA";"0.240m 0.787ft";35.2;-120.8;CA037;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"San Luis Obispo County Interior, CA";2015-09-17T05:12:26-07:00;35.4;-120.9;CA037;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"San Luis Obispo County Interior, CA";"0.120m 0.394ft";35.4;-120.9;CA037;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County South Coast, CA";2015-09-17T05:14:26-07:00;34.4;-119.5;CA039;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"Santa Barbara County South Coast, CA";"0.130m 0.427ft";34.4;-119.5;CA039;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedArrivalTime</valueName>
<value>"San Luis Obispo County Interior, CA";2015-09-17T05:15:26-07:00;35.1;-120.7;CA037;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<parameter>
<valueName>predictedWaveHeight</valueName>
<value>"San Luis Obispo County Interior, CA";"0.250m 0.820ft";35.1;-120.7;CA037;"CAP-TSU:1.0"</value>
</parameter>
<resource>
<resourceDesc>Energy Map</resourceDesc>
<mimeType>image/jpeg</mimeType>
<uri>http://ntwc.arh.noaa.gov/events/PAAQ/2015/09/16/nuskyv/14/WEAK51/energynuskyv.jpg</uri>
</resource>
<resource>
<resourceDesc>Tsunami Travel Time Map</resourceDesc>
<mimeType>image/jpeg</mimeType>
<uri>http://ntwc.arh.noaa.gov/events/PAAQ/2015/09/16/nuskyv/14/WEAK51/ttvunuskyv-14.jpg</uri>
</resource>
<resource>
<resourceDesc>Event Data as a JSON document</resourceDesc>
<mimeType>application/json</mimeType>
<uri>http://ntwc.arh.noaa.gov/events/PAAQ/2015/09/16/nuskyv/14/WEAK51/PAAQ.json</uri>
</resource>
<area>
<areaDesc>Coastal areas between and including San Onofre State Beach, California (45 miles SE of L.A.) to Ragged Point, California (50 miles NW of San Luis Obispo)</areaDesc>
<geocode>
<valueName>UGC</valueName>
<value>CAZ040</value>
</geocode>
<geocode>
<valueName>UGC</valueName>
<value>CAZ041</value>
</geocode>
<geocode>
<valueName>UGC</valueName>
<value>CAZ552</value>
</geocode>
<geocode>
<valueName>UGC</valueName>
<value>CAZ087</value>
</geocode>
<geocode>
<valueName>UGC</valueName>
<value>CAZ549</value>
</geocode>
<geocode>
<valueName>UGC</valueName>
<value>CAZ550</value>
</geocode>
<geocode>
<valueName>UGC</valueName>
<value>CAZ039</value>
</geocode>
<geocode>
<valueName>UGC</valueName>
<value>CAZ034</value>
</geocode>
<geocode>
<valueName>UGC</valueName>
<value>CAZ035</value>
</geocode>
</area>
</info>
<Signature xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/09/xmldsig#">
...
</Signature></alert>