33 U.S.C. § 3206: Global tsunami warning and mitigation network

The Administrator shall, in coordination with the Secretary of State and in consultation with such other agencies as the Administrator considers relevant, provide technical assistance, operational support, and training to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, the World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations, and such other international entities as the Administrator considers appropriate, as part of the international efforts to develop a fully functional global tsunami forecast and warning system comprised of regional tsunami warning networks. monitor international tsunami warning activities around the world; assist member states in establishing national warning systems, and make information available on current technologies for tsunami warning systems; maintain a library of materials to promulgate knowledge about tsunami in general and for use by the scientific community; and disseminate information, including educational materials and research reports. shall give priority to assisting nations in identifying vulnerable coastal areas, creating inundation maps, obtaining or designing real-time detection and reporting equipment, and supporting communication and warning networks and contact points in each vulnerable nation; may support a process for transfer of detection and communication technology to affected nations for the purposes of supporting the international tsunami warning system; and shall provide technical and other assistance to support international tsunami programs. The National Weather Service, when deciding to provide assistance under this section, may take into consideration the data sharing policies and practices of nations proposed to receive such assistance, with a goal to encourage all nations to support full and open exchange of data.