Signs
along the shoreline
Fortunately,
a few natural warning signs can help you understand that a tsunami is
approaching and they can be easily recognized. They include:
·
strong ground shaking from an earthquake: if
you are on the coast and there is an earthquake, it may have caused a tsunami,
so escape immediately to higher ground or inland, avoiding river valleys;
·
unusual sea-level fluctuations: a
noticeable rapid rise or fall in coastal waters is a sign that there may be a
tsunami approaching. If you see the water recede quickly and unexpectedly from
a beach exposing the ocean floor (the so-called drawback) or a sudden rise of the sea level,
escape immediately to higher ground or inland, avoiding river valleys;
·
abnormally huge wave: the first wave in a
tsunami wave train is usually not the largest, so if you see an abnormally huge
wave, even bigger waves could be coming soon. Run immediately to higher ground
or inland, avoiding river valleys;
·
loud ocean roar: if you hear a roaring
sound offshore, similar to that of a train or jet aircraft, a tsunami may be
approaching, so escape immediately to higher ground or inland, avoiding river
valleys.
·
If you experience any of the phenomena described above, do not
wait for official evacuation orders. Immediately leave low-lying coastal areas
and move to higher ground or inland, avoiding river valleys. Do not return to
low-lying land after a tsunami has hit the coast because other waves are likely
to follow the first one and each wave can last up to 30 minutes. The danger may
last for many hours and, in some cases, more than 24 hours.
·
Man-made Tsunami Warning signs and sirens have been placed along
the roads of many beaches worldwide to inform the public about the potential
risk; these signs should not be ignored and immediate action should be taken if
any of the natural signs described above occurs. Response timeliness may save
up many lives.
