Background

Tsunamis are generated by various submarine processes such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides, so the research is necessarily interdisciplinary, requiring studies that include the fields of seismology, volcanology, marine geology and geophysics, and hydrodynamics. When any interdisciplinary work is effectively coordinated by a strong union or organization that fosters collaboration and knowledge-sharing among diverse fields, the resulting benefits will extend not only to the participating countries but also to profit globally, impacting numerous communities and advancing societal progress on a broader scale.

The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) is a global scientific organization committed to advancing and disseminating knowledge about the Earth system and its environment in space. It focuses on a broad range of geophysical disciplines, from the Earth's shape and gravitational fields to atmospheric and oceanic sciences, including the study of the Earth using satellites and high-altitude instruments. IUGG consists of eight semi-autonomous associations (IACS, IAG, IAGA. IAHS, IAMAS, IAPSO, IASPEI and IAVCET), each specializing in specific aspects of Earth sciences, such as cryospheric sciences, geodesy, geomagnetism, hydrology, meteorology, oceanography, seismology, and volcanology. Additionally, IUGG encourages interdisciplinary research through its inter-Association commissions and collaborations with other scientific organizations.

The IUGG Tsunami Commission (IUGG/TC), also called Joint Tsunami Commission, is an Inter-Association Commission, jointly sponsored by IASPEI, IAPSO and IAVCEI, responsible for the international coordination of tsunami-related meetings, research, and publications. The Joint Tsunami Commission holds International Tsunami Symposium (ITS) every two years, where tsunami researchers and disaster prevention personnel from all over the world gather to discuss a wide range of topics such as tsunami warning, damage prediction, tsunami evacuation, and tsunami disaster prevention education etc. The commission publishes Tsunami Symposium proceedings and current tsunami research in several peer-review journals as topical volumes and special publications. It also coordinates with the Tsunami Society International and its publication of the open-access journal "Science of Tsunami Hazards".

International Tsunami Symposium 2025

The 32nd International Tsunami symposium would be coming up in the month of November 2025 for three consecutive days. The primary goal of this symposium is to develop and implement a robust program that upholds professional excellence among participants specializing in diverse, dynamic fields such as tsunami hazard assessment, detection, monitoring, early warning systems, mitigation strategies and community preparedness. Throughout this major annual event, attendees will engage in peer-reviewed and technical sessions designed to explore and address the latest advancements and developments within these crucial areas.

In 2022, A volcanic eruption in Tonga surprised scientists by triggering two types of tsunamis: "classic" tsunamis caused by the displacement of large volumes of water, and meteotsunamis caused by fast-moving pressure disturbances in the atmosphere. The classic example of non-seismic tsunamis. The 2018 tsunamis in Indonesia, Palu tsunami and Anak Krakatoa raised the questions about early warning systems capability of detection of non-seismic tsunamis. The main theme of this symposium is "The tsunamis caused by seismic, non-seismic and complex sources: challenges, lessons learnt and way forward". The discussions not only focus on current tsunami early warning systems' limitations and research to improve the services, but also, range of research results on tsunami, inviting tsunami experts, researchers, scientists, academia, media, volunteers, and citizens from all over the world. Discussions will be held on trends, the actual state of disaster prevention activities in the region, and issues and solutions to be solved in the future.

The Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme (ODTP), launched as part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), aims to enhance tsunami science, technology, and mitigation efforts globally. Leveraging the momentum of the Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme, the upcoming 32nd International Tsunami Symposium (ITS) aims to enhance tsunami warning systems to deliver timely alerts for all sources, aligning with the goal to cover 100% of at-risk coasts and communities by 2030. The symposium will also promote the IOC-UNESCO Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme (TRRP), helping communities become prepared and resilient. The symposium, by drawing on the resources and frameworks established under the Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme, provides a unique opportunity to accelerate progress towards these ambitious, life-saving goals and promote international collaboration.

In addition, the ODTP will organize a International Tsunami Symposium 2025 on 10-11 November 2025, back-to-back with ITS, to review the progress of its objectives and the projects and programmes endorsed under its framework. Together, the International Tsunami Symposium and the ODTP conference will create a significant opportunity to drive progress toward building safer and more resilient coastal communities around the world. Participants are encouraged to attend both events.