A tsunami can be one of the deadliest natural disasters. Therefore, it is imperative to know ways to try to protect oneself when dealing with this destructive force.
What is a Tsunami?
According to Invitation to Oceanography, a tsunami is a series of ocean waves with extremely long wavelength, which can be greater than 100 miles. Wave speed can reach up to 500 miles per hour. A tsunami can cross an entire ocean in just a few hours. When tsunami waves reach shore, they can be over 100 feet high.
What Causes a Tsunami?
The ocean floor is a lot like land. It’s composed of plates, which are constantly moving. Sometimes these plates collide, causing an earthquake. A tsunami is usually caused by an earthquake near or underneath the ocean floor.
Tsunami Safety Tips
“Surviving a Tsunami – Lessons from Chile, Hawaii, and Japan” notes three important points to remember when battling a tsunami. The first is to know and heed the warning signs of a tsunami. If an earthquake occurs near the ocean, there is a chance that a tsunami will soon follow. Another natural warning sign is an apparent rise or fall of ocean waters. Also, a loud roar like that of an airplane or train is often heard when a tsunami approaches land.
Additionally, it is imperative to pay attention to official warnings. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, located in Honolulu, was created in 1965. It’s an international system, with member nations all around the world. The system detects shock waves, which set off an alarm. If analysts think the tsunami is a threat, warnings will be sent out to different agencies, which will relate the message to the public. However, there are many areas in the ocean where tsunami can’t be detected to warn people ahead of time.
The second point to remember is that tsunamis are composed of many waves and can last for several hours. The first wave is not necessarily the only one. The next waves can be even more destructive. People should not leave a safety spot after the first wave passes.
The third lesson to follow is to move to higher ground. Those near the coast should head inland, away from the beach. If people are unable to get away quickly enough, they should go to the upper stories of concrete reinforced structures like hotels; these buildings can provide some protection. If hotels are not nearby, climbing to the top of a tree is another option. If people do get caught up in the tsunami, they should try to find (and hold onto) an object that floats.
These and other tips can be found at the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center.
Sources:
- Atwater, B., M. Cisternas, J. Bourgeois, W. C. Dudley, J.W. Hendley, and P. Stauffer. 2005. Surviving a Tsunami – Lessons From Chile, Hawaii, and Japan. Denver: U.S. Geological Survey Information Services.
- Pinet, Paul R. Invitation to Oceanography. Boston: Jones and Barlett Publishers, 2006.
Anne Marie Coar - Anne Marie graduated with a degree in communication arts and minors in psychology, journalism, and business. Some of her articles have ...
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