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The UNESCO-led Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System () is gearing up for its seventh ocean-wide tsunami readiness exercise, known as Indian Ocean Wave 2023 (IOWave23). Twenty-five countries are expected to take part in the three-week exercise, scheduled from 4-25 October 2023, with several countries involving their local communities.

Tsunamis, while infrequent, pose a significant threat in terms of both loss of life and destruction. To ensure readiness for these rare but high-impact events, regular tsunami simulation exercises are essential.

In a departure from previous exercises, conducted since 2009, the IOWave23 edition will simulate various scenarios, including a volcanic eruption in the Southern Ocean, resulting in a regional tsunami event. The simulation will also include seismic scenarios involving magnitude 9 earthquakes in the Andaman, Makran, and Java trenches. Governments can choose to participate in one or more of these scenarios.

The objectives of the IOWave23 Tsunami Exercise go beyond testing procedures and communication links; it aims to enhance tsunami preparedness at the community level. Governments will have the opportunity to assess their communities’ levels of preparedness using the IOC/UNESCO Tsunami Ready programme indicators, which cover tsunami assessment, preparedness, and response.

Preparations for IOWave23 began with informative sub-regional training workshops. These online workshops reviewed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Tsunami Service Provider (TSP) products, setting the stage for a successful exercise. Western Indian Ocean countries convened on 3-6 July 2023, followed by Eastern Indian Ocean countries (10-13 July 2023), and North-Western Indian Ocean countries (7-8 August 2023).

Detailed information regarding the IOWave23 Tsunami Exercise, including essential documents and National Exercise Contacts, . 

Explore past exercises from 2009 to 2020 on .

Stay updated with the latest exercise developments on X via .

You can follow the conversation with hashtags #iowave, #iowave23, #tsunamiready, #iotsunami, #tsunami, and #gotohigherground.

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About the IOC/UNESCO:

The promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the ocean, coasts and marine resources. The IOC enables its 150 Member States to work together by coordinating programmes in capacity development, ocean observations and services, ocean science and tsunami warning. The work of the IOC contributes to the mission of UNESCO to promote the advancement of science and its applications to develop knowledge and capacity, key to economic and social progress, the basis of peace and sustainable development.

±õ°¿°ä/±«±··¡³§°ä°¿â€™s is dedicated to enhancing tsunami preparedness and early warning systems in the Indian Ocean region, safeguarding communities from the devastating impact of tsunamis.

About the Ocean Decade 2021-2030:

Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the state of the ocean system and catalyse new opportunities for sustainable development of this massive marine ecosystem. The vision of the Ocean Decade is ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’. The Ocean Decade provides a convening framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop the scientific knowledge and the partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system, and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The UN General Assembly mandated UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to coordinate the preparations and implementation of the Decade.