Disaster Readiness and
Risk Reduction
Natural Signs of Impending Tsunami
MELCS: Recognize the natural signs of an
impending tsunami; DRR11/12-If-g-18
• OBJECTIVES
1.Identify the natural signs of Impending tsunami
2.Appreciate the topic by locating places for possible
evacuation during tsunamis
3.Determine the recognized sign of an impending
tsunami
Read the following statements. Make a Tsunami sign if
the statement is true and TIDAL WAVE if not.
1. I should go to the shore to watch a tsunami.
2. All undersea earthquakes cause tsunami.
3. If I felt a strong earthquake while near coast, I should wait
to hear the rumbling sound before moving to high
ground.
4. If a small tsunami is coming, I should get out of the water
and wait until I hear it is safe to return.
5. If a big tsunami is coming, I should move as far as I can or
to higher.
Read the following statements. Make a Tsunami sign if
the statement is true and TIDAL WAVE if not.
6. If I am swimming when a small
tsunami comes, I could get dragged out
to sea by the strong rips and currents.
7. A tsunami is most often caused by
undersea earthquakes.
Tsunami
A tsunami is a series of ocean waves that sends surges of water,
sometimes reaching heights of over 100 feet (30.5 meters), onto
land. These walls of water can cause widespread destruction
when they crash ashore.
triggered by: Large earthquakes that occur near or under
the ocean. Volcanic eruptions. Submarine landslides.
August 17, 1976 Tsunami , Magnitude of 7.9
1976 Moro Gulf earthquake and
tsunami
Initially over 8,000 people were
officially counted as killed or
missing, 10,000 injured, and
90,000 homeless, making it one
of the most devastating
disasters in the history of the
Philippine Islands.[6]
The Ring of Fire
is a string of
volcanoes and
sites of seismic
activity, or
earthquakes,
around the edges
of the Pacific
Ocean.
What are the
natural signs of
an impending
tsunami?
Although earthquakes are yet to be
predicted, tsunami may give off
several natural signs when they are
about to come.
1. Feel an
Earthquake
• Severe ground shaking
from local earthquakes
may cause tsunamis.
However, an
earthquake may not be
felt if the event is far
away.
2. See ocean
water disappear
from beach , bay,
river.
• Water may recede from the
coast, exposing the ocean
floor, reefs and fish before
returning as fast-moving
wall of water (tsunami). This
is called “ draw back”. Draw
back can exceed hundreds
of meters exposing normally
submerge area.
3. Hear an unusual roaring
sound
• Abnormal ocean activity , a wall of water and
an approaching tsunami can create a loud
“roaring” sound similar to that of a train or jet
aircraft.
If you experience any of
these signs…………
Do not wait for official evacuation orders. Immediately
leave low-lying coastal areas and move to the higher
ground.
What should you do when a
tsunami threatens?
Preparation before a tsunami
• If you leave near or visit a coastal area, learn about the risk of
a tsunami. Some at risk communities have maps with
evacuation zones and routes.
• Learn the sign of an impending tsunami.
• Know and practice community evacuation plans and map out
your routes from coming from your house , work and other
areas.
• Create a family emergency plan with all your family members.
During the event of a tsunami
A. Protect yourself first from an earthquake if you are in a tsunami
area. Do the Duck, Cover and Hold. Tsunami generated in distant
locations will generally give people enough time to move to higher
ground.
B. If there is a warning, either from officials or a natural sign, move
immediately to safe place as high and as far from the inland as
possible.
C. If you are outside the tsunami hazard zone and warning has been
issued , stay where you are unless officials tell you otherwise.
D. If you are in school and a tsunami warning has been issued, follow
the advice of teachers and other school personnel.
During the event of a tsunami
E. If you are at home and hear there is a tsunami warning, you make
sure your entire family is aware of warning. Move in an orderly,
calm and safe manner to the evacuation site or any safe place
F. Highly, multi-story , reinforced concrete hotels are located in
many low-lying coastal areas. The upper floors of these hotels can
provide a safe place to find refuge.
G. Offshore reefs and shallow areas may help break the force of
tsunami waves, but large and dangerous waves can still be threat to
coastal residents in these areas. Stay away from all low-lying coastal
areas when there is a tsunami warning.
During the event of a tsunami
H. If you are in a boat at sea or in harbor, and a tsunami warning has been
issued for your areas, do not return to the port. Tsunamis are
imperceptible and can cause rapid changes in water level and
unpredictable dangerous currents in harbors and ports.
Most large harbors and ports are under the control of a harbor authority
or a vessel traffic system. Keep in contact with the authorities should a
forced movement of vessel be directed. On the other hand , smaller ports
may not be under the control of a harbor authority. In this case, be sure
you have enough time to move your vessel safely to deep water.
I. Contact the harbor authority before returning to the port to verify that
conditions in the harbor or are safe for navigation and berthing.
