The great risk posed by tsunamis has resulted in the Pacific Basin being regarded as a region of the world particularly susceptible to tsunamis. The recent devastating tsunami in Papua New Guinea that killed many thousands of people is testimony to this danger. As a consequence of earlier tsunami disasters in the Pacific, an International Tsunami Information Centre is operative in Honolulu, Hawaii (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/pr/hq/itic.htm).

A mandate of the ITIC is to:

- monitor international tsunami warning activities in the Pacific and recommend improvements
- provide Pacific states with information on Pacific Tsunami Warning Systems
- assist particular member states with the establishment of their own National Tsunami Warning Systems
- assist all Pacific states in making improvements in their own tsunami preparedness programmes
- gather and disseminate knowledge about tsunamis in order to help mitigate loss of life and property damage
- assist national organisations to investigate all aspects of tsunamis and develop routine survey procedures for such investigations.

Consequently, the majority of education and training derives from ITIC activities. Indeed the ITIC should be regarded as the key point of contact for people wishing to learn more about tsunamis and their potential dangers.