Tsunami

Tsunami

Tsunami is a Japanese word, which means tidal wave. Tidal wave is huge ocean wave, caused by an underwater volcanic eruption or earthquake. The ocean floor offsets or tilted as a result of earthquake, a bunch of sea waves are created. These are similar waves when an object is dropped into the water and it sends multiple waves to all directions. It usually moves across a sea to the shore with a wave height of 60 to 120 mi and can travel by a speed of 800 km/h. When a wave reaches to shallow waters, it may grow fast and by the time it reaches to shore, it can be 50 feet high or even more. It has enormous energy because of the huge volumes of water. These waves are strong enough to bring destructions and deaths among residents, living along the coasts. In the year of 1896 a population of around 20,000 in a Japanese town Sanriku, were wiped out. The highest recorded tsunami wave has been recorded as high as 135 feet above sea level. Since 1819, around 40 tsunamis have thumped the Hawaiian Islands.

There is need of high level of awareness for prevention and protection. It is important check the height of houses above sea level and the distance from the sea shore. There is a need to create a familiarity with tsunami warning signs. An earthquake in a coastal region can send warning signals of a possible tsunami. Any changes in coastal waters, whether increasing or decreasing, may be a sign that a tsunami is occurring. People should identify and move immediately to an inland location which should be considerable high of sea level. There has to be various evacuation routes because in case of tsunami major roads may be blocked due to panic. All electricity, gas and water outlets should be turned off immediately.  Children need to be taught how and when to call 911 and to listen radio for 

A video for a real tsunami approaching.

By: Abdulkreem Almazyad