West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning
Center
Operations Manual
NOAA/NWS/WCATWC
Palmer,
http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov
Section
4.1.16 – MESSAGE2
Last
Updated: 5/2007
Date Written: 9/1997
Development Language: MicroSoft C/C++ v7.0 using
WInAPI
Initialization File:
summary.ini - read on program
start-up
Program Description:
Program MESSAGE2 is a non-Earthworm-based program started by a menu
option in program LOCATE. Its purpose is
to create and disseminate tsunami warning, watch, and other messages. MESSAGE2
displays messages in a dialog box. The duty scientist
selects the type of message to create. Hypocenter parameters used in generating
the message are displayed next and can be edited. Options are given as to the content of the
message where necessary. After the scientist
selects the paths by which the message will be disseminated, the message is
created and displayed with an editor. (Paths include the NOAA Weather Wire
satellite-based system, the Federal Aviation Administration’s NADIN2 network,
National Weather Service circuits, WC/ATWC web site update, e-mail lists,
digital messaging lists, and a USGS dissemination system (QDDS).) The message
can be altered in the editor if necessary. After review, the message is
disseminated through the appropriate channels. MESSAGE2 configures
communication ports attached to the various systems and sequentially transmits
the message. A message copy is also
printed for use in reading over the National Warning System circuit and for
phone calls.
In some cases, two messages are created, both a standard product and the
public product. The user always sees the
standard product in the editor, but must choose whether or not to alter the
public products. The public product is
sent to the communication devices immediately after the standard product.
In addition to tsunami messages, observatory,
dissemination tests, mistake retractions, and ordinary test messages can be
created and disseminated by MESSAGE2. The main dialog box creates messages for
Pacific events. The Atlantic Msg. push-button
at the bottom calls a dialog box for creation of Atlantic AOR messages. This program also generates
Message Options:
1. Tsunami Warning (or Advisory - WC/ATWC AOR Danger)
Standard option for watch/warning (i.e. 3hr warn/3hr watch,
etc.). Also use for tsunami advisory where there is a
potential danger to the WC/ATWC AOR, but wave is beyond 6 hours travel time
distant. This advisory will turn into a
watch/warn when wave is within 6 hours.
Use for both initial and subsequent bulletins.
2. Warning: All WC/ATWC Areas
Use during a major event. Place all WC/ATWC AOR into a warning.
3. Cancel Watch/Warning
Use to cancel a watch/warning message. To end Advisory – WC/ATWC AOR Danger, use
Final Advisory.
4. Specific Areas Warning
Break points are specified from list - use when
desired boundaries don’t fit 3/3 scenario such as when a tsunami will only be
dangerous to a certain segment of the AOR coast.
5. Specific Areas Final Supplement
Use the final supplement when only a section of the AOR
is to be left in warning.
6. Major Wave Supplement
Supplemental message issued during
major event after the wave front has passed out of the AOR, but PTWC has not
yet issued a final message. This leaves
the AOR in a warning status.
7. Major Wave Final Supplement
The final Major Wave Supplement.
Issued when PTWC issues final message for an event in which option 6 has
been used one or more times.
8. Tsunami Advisory (No AOR Danger)
Issued when PTWC issues a warning,
but there is no danger to the WC/ATWC AOR.
9. Final
Tsunami Advisory
The final advisory bulletin used when PTWC is issuing a
final message for a Pacific regional warning, and there is no danger to the WC/ATWC
AOR.
10. Post-Cancellation Advisory
Message issued when PTWC keeps a warning in effect, and after
WC/ATWC cancels a warning.
11. Post-Cancellation Final Advisory
Final advisory message issued after
one or more of the above bulletins are sent, and PTWC is issuing a final
message.
12. TIS
Tsunami Information Statement;
used for earthquakes below warning threshold.
WMO header and AWIPS ID are chosen based on magnitude.
13. Observatory Message
Send hypocenter parameters to other seismological
observatories.
Mistake Retraction
If warning message is inadvertently sent out, send this to
cancel and explain.
Dissemination Test
Monthly communications test.
Test Message(s)
Test messages for NADIN2, Line 106, NWWS, and email. Different WMO
headers can be selected.
Tsunami ETAs - WC/ATWC AOR
Expected tsunami arrival times at places along the
North American coast for sources anywhere in the Pacific basin.
Tsunami ETAs – Pacific
Expected tsunami arrival times at sites throughout
the
Tsunami ETAs – Indian
Expected tsunami arrival times at sites throughout
the
PTWC Msg.
Generate PTWC products when WC/ATWC is operating as
backup for PTWC.
Generate WC/ATWC messages for the Atlantic AOR.
1. Tsunami Warning
This is the standard option for timed or fixed
watch/warning messages. Use TIS, option
5, for events which there is not a warning, but the event may prove to be
dangerous. Use for both initial and subsequent warning bulletins.
2. Warning: Specify Areas
Place specified WC/ATWC Atlantic
AOR regions in a warning.
3. Cancel Watch/Warning
Use to cancel a watch/warning.
4. Major Wave Final Supplement
Supplemental message issued during
a major event after the wave front has passed out of the Atlantic AOR. This leaves the AOR in a warning status. All clear is left up to local officials.
5. TIS
Tsunami Information Statement; used
for earthquakes below warning threshold or outside our AOR which may or may not
pose a danger. WMO header and AWIPS ID
are chosen based on magnitude.
6. Observatory Message
Send hypocenter parameters to other seismological
observatories.
Mistake Retraction
If warning message is inadvertently sent out, send this to
cancel and explain.
Atlantic Recipient Dissemination Test
Monthly communications test.
Tsunami ETAs –
Expected tsunami arrival times at sites throughout
the