Tsunami and

Disaster
Prevention and Mitigation
Joan L. Cruz- Salcedo
Department of Science and Technology – Philippine
Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
Objectives:
At the end of this module, the participants will be able to:
1. define a tsunami;
2. distinguish a tsunami from tidal waves and storm surge;
3. explain how tsunami is generated;
4. differentiate locally generated tsunami from far field or
distant tsunami;
5. enumerate the 3 natural signs of an approaching local
tsunami;
6. enumerate some tsunami safety and preparedness
measures
7. differentiate the types of Philippine Tsunami Information
Tsunami
▪ Japanese term meaning
▪ alon (nami) sa daungan (tsu)
▪ harbour (tsu) waves (nami)

▪A series of waves generated by various

geological processes.
 What causes tsunami?

Generally by Infrequently by
EARTHQUAKES VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS

dnr.wa.gov
Less commonly by sub-aerial to Very rarely by
submarine LANDSLIDES METEORITE IMPACTS
Seiche “saysh”

Seiches are waves triggered by

strong shaking due to earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions that are found in
enclosed or partially enclosed bodies of
water such as lakes, bays and rivers.

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/seiche.html
 Tsunami vs Tidal wave
Similarity: both are sea waves
a tsunami and a tidal wave are two different and
unrelated phenomena

Tidal wave - is the wave motion of the tides. A

tidal wave is a shallow water wave caused by the
gravitational interactions between the Sun, Moon,
and Earth.

Tsunamis - are ocean waves triggered by large earthquakes

that occur near or under the ocean, volcanic eruptions,
submarine landslides, and by onshore landslides in which
large volumes of debris fall into the water.
 Storm surge
Storm surge – sudden increase in sea
water level associated with the passage of
typhoons or tropical cyclones
Review: Plate Tectonics

Plates
- cover the entire surface of the earth
- contain both the continents and seafloor
- move relative to each other
Review: Plate Tectonics
CONVERGENT
Plate boundary – the
TRANSFORM
DIVERGENT
region where plates come
in contact

Type of plate boundary

– determined in the way in
which one plate moves
relative to another

Spreading – two plates move away from each other

Subduction – where two plates move toward each other and
one slides beneath the other
Transform – where two plates slide horizontally past each
other
 Earthquakes & Tsunamis

An earthquake can be caused by

- volcanic activity
- but most are generated by movements along fault
zones associated with the plate boundaries
- most strong earthquakes, representing 80% of the
total energy released worldwide by earthquakes, occur in
subduction zones – where an oceanic plate slides under a
continental plate
Not all earthquakes generate tsunami
To generate a tsunami
•the earthquake generator where the earthquake
occurs must be underneath or near the ocean

•Cause vertical movement of the seafloor (up to

several meters)

•over a large area (up to hundred thousand sqkm)

•shallow focus earthquakes (depth less than 70km)

 Stages of Tsunami

Propagation Inundation

Generation
Stages of Tsunami

Inundation
Propagation

Generation
 Tsunami Generation

Tsunamis are generated primarily by tectonic

dislocations under the sea, which are caused by shallow
focus earthquakes along areas of subduction.
The upthrusted and downthrusted crustal blocks impart
potential energy into the overlying water mass with drastic
changes in the sea level over the affected region.
The energy imparted into the water mass results in
tsunami generation.
Tsunami Propagation

Tsunamis travel outward

in all directions from
the generating area, with
the direction of the main
energy propagation
generally being
orthogonal to the direction
of the earthquake fracture
zone.
Tsunami Propagation

Their speed depends on

the depth of water, so that
the waves undergo
accelerations and
decelerations in passing
over an ocean bottom of
varying depth
Bathymetry: the
science of measuring
depths of the ocean,
lakes, seas..
Tsunami Propagation How Fast?
waveheight

inundation

Over 800 kilometers per Tsunami speed depends

hour (kph) in deep ocean on the depth of water
over 6000m deep

30 to 50 kph near shorelines

g=9.8m/s 2
Inundation The horizontal distance inland that a
tsunami penetrates, generally
measured perpendicularly to the
shoreline.

Topography: the
shape of the land
Landcover:
roughness
Offshore and coastal
features can determine
the size and impact of
tsunami waves.
Inundation:
Xmax = (Hs)1.33 n-2 k

Xmax = maximum inundation

Hs = Tsunami Height
n = Coastline roughness
n1 = 0.015 flat areas
n2 = 0.03 buildings
n3 = 0.07 dense forest
k = regional constant = 0.06
Maximum inundation (Hills &
Mader, 1997 and Prist, 1995)
Landcover/Surface Roughness
• Grassland

• Areas covered
with buildings

• Areas densely
covered with
forest
NHK, Japan Tsunami, 11 march 2011
WAVEHEIGHT

INUNDATION
Area flooded with water by
the tsunami
Tsunamis are unique in that the energy
extends through the entire water column
from sea surface to the ocean bottom.
It is this characteristic that accounts for
the great amount of energy propagated
by a tsunami
 Tsunami Facts
Tsunamis that strike coastal locations are almost always
caused by earthquakes. These earthquakes might occur
far away or near where you live. While earthquakes occur
in all ocean basins around the world, most do not
generate tsunamis
 Tsunami Facts
Some tsunamis can be very large, and they cause impacts
like flashfloods. Later waves are often full of debris.

2004
Tsunami,
Indonesia
 Tsunami Facts
Run-up height could be as high as 10 meters or more

2011 Japan Tsunami

4 storeys x ~3 meters/storey = ~12 meters

 Tsunami Facts
All low lying coastal areas can be struck by tsunamis

1976 Moro Gulf Tsunami

 Tsunami Facts
A tsunami consists of series of waves. The first wave
may not be the largest. The danger from a tsunami can
last for several hours after the arrival of the first wave.
Tsunami waves typically do not curl and break, so do not
try to surf a tsunami!

Tsunami Accounts: The 1976 Moro Gulf

Tsunami
Descriptions:
3 or 4 waves (one person said 9) == there
was more than 1 wave
1 to 5 minutes interval
maximum inundation = 2 km
maximum water recession (with sucking
sound) = 2 km

Tsunami simulation, source Manila Trench

 Tsunami Facts
Sometimes a tsunami initially causes the water near the
shore to recede, exposing the ocean floor.
 Tsunami Facts
The force of some tsunami is very strong. Large rocks,
boats and other debris can be moved inland and can kill
and injure people.

2011 Japan
Earthquake

Transported bancas (Sakol, Island), 1976 Moro Gulf Tsunami

1964 Alaska Earthquake

 Tsunami Facts
Tsunamis can travel up rivers that lead to the sea.
Damage Scenario

Japan (almost 5 months after the Tsunami)

BANDA ACEH
(INDONESIA)
BEFORE and AFTER
TSUNAMI (DEC 26,
2004)
Tsunami Impacts

• Movement of
heavy objects and
impact to
structures

Kesennuma

Photos by RUSolidum, PHIVOLCS

Ogatsu
Ship on the house: 2004 Sumatra Earthquake Tsunami
Ship on the house: 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Tsunami
Transported bancas (Sakol, Island), 1976 Moro Gulf Tsunami
Hazards
▪ Trees and posts are uprooted from their locations
▪ Cars and boats are carried;
▪ Tsunami debris can cause injuries during inland &
back flows
 Hazards
▪ Sea water is dark or
muddy and may
cause health
complications.

▪ Water in wells
become salty and not
potable

▪ Agricultural lands are

rendered useless for
some years.
 Two Types of Tsunami
Type Source Lead time Warning mechanism in
earthquake to place
tsunami
LOCAL trench or fault in 2 to 20 Community-based
Philippine minutes up
region, usually must rely on natural signs
to 60 such as moderate to intense
less than 200 km minutes shaking in coastal area,
from shoreline unusual water level rise or fall,
and unusual sound
DISTANT trench or fault 1 to 24 International Centers
outside the hours Pacific Tsunami Warning
Regional Center, NW Pacific Tsunami
or Trans- Philippine Advisory Center
Pacific region
PHIVOLCS
(ex. Japan,
Hawaii, Chile) OCD
 Local Tsunami

Distant Tsunami

Tsunami simulation of 1700 Cascadia Earthquake

Tsunamis generated in distant locations
will generally give people enough time
for tsunami warning.

There will be less time (a few minutes)

for warning in case of locally-generated
tsunamis.
 Local Tsunami
A tsunami from nearby source
for which its destructive effects
are confined to coasts within
100 km or less than 1 hour
tsunami travel time from its
source.

A local tsunami is usually

generated by an earthquake,
but can also be caused by a
landslide or a pyroclastic flow
1o ~ 111km
from a volcanic eruption
Recent Local Tsunami in the Philippines

1992 Eastern Mindanao Tsunami

1976 Moro Gulf Tsunami 1994 Mindoro Tsunami

Philippine Tsunamis and Seiches
1589-2012

• 74 candidate events
• 41 confirmed tsunami
Ocean-wide or Teletsunami or Distant Tsunami
A tsunami originating from a
far away source, generally
more than 1000km or more
than 3 hours tsunami travel
time from its source.

Usually starting as a local

tsunami that causes
extensive destruction near
the shore, these waves
continue to travel across an
entire ocean basin with
sufficient energy to cause
additional casualties and
destruction.
 Distant Tsunami

• 1960 Chile M9.5

• 2010 Chile M8.8
• 2011 Japan M9.0
THE 1960 GREAT CHILE EARTHQUAKE
(MAGNITUDE 9.5) AND TSUNAMI
• The tsunami waves arrived in the eastern Philippine
shores 24 –26 hours after the earthquake

• Tsunami heights of 6 meters reported by eyewitnesses in

eastern shoreline of Samar Island

• The tsunami waves reached height of 1 meter in

Tacloban, Leyte based on tide gauge records

• The tsunami waves reached height of 2.5 meters in

Legaspi based on tide gauge records
The Philippines and The Tsunami Threat

Tsunami sources (image from ComMIT)

39
Tsunami Prone Areas in the Philippines
Prone to trench
related local and
distant tsunami
Prone to trench
related local
tsunami
Prone to offshore
fault and
submarine
landslide related
local tsunami
 Earthquake Sources 8.4

8.4
8.5
8.3
8.3
8.1
8.1
7.9
8.2
8.2
• Red rectangles are trench segments 8.1
• Yellow boxes are labels of trench 8.1
segments 8.0
• White boxes are max plausible 8.1
8.3
magnitude 8.5
7.9
Areas with positive tsunami
• Northern Luzon
• Western Luzon
• Eastern Luzon
• Metro Manila
• Mindoro island
• Palawan island
• Bicol Peninsula
• Visayan region
• Eastern Mindanao
• Western Mindanao
• Southern Mindanao
Location of epicenters of the earthquakes that caused
tsunami in the Philippines based on NGDC, IISEE-
Utsu, and Bautista et al. (2010) after eliminating
doubtful events.
 Historical Tsunami in Metro Manila

1863 June 3 M6.5

1828 November 9 M6.6

 Historical Tsunami in Metro Manila
November 9, 1828 – estimated tsunami height 1 meter
“At the port (of Manila), people on board ship felt the shocks strongly as if they
struck a hard object. The river level rose quickly after the quake to rainy
day water level and inundated lowlands near its banks.”

From Bautista et al., 2013

 Historical Tsunami in Metro Manila
• June 3, 1863, M6.5 – estimated tsunami height 1-2 meters
“In Manila Bay, the wave action was observed by the captains on
board two English frigates. They described the wave as coming from
SE to NW. It then struck their ships forcefully and water completely
covered the deck.” From Bautista and others, 2012

“destroyed by the
earthquake of 3 June
1863”
West Luzon (Manila Trench and
offshore fault and submarine landslide
Tsunami Hazard in Metro Manila
Possible source: Manila Trench
Max plausible Magnitude: 8.3

Estimated Tsunami Height in

Manila Bay:
• 3.5 meters (mean sea level)
• 5.5 meters (+ 2m from tide)
Arrival Time:
• > 1 hour
Tsunami Hazard Map of
Metro Manila

Estimated Tsunami Height in

Manila Bay:
• 3.5 meters (mean sea level)
• 5.5 meters (+ 2m from tide)
Arrival Time:
• > 1 hour
 Estimated Tsunami waveheight and inundation

waveheight along 3.5 meters 5.5 meters

Manila Bay (mean sea level) (+2 from tide)
Roughness

Inundation (meters)
grassland 1411 2574
Covered with buildings 353 644

Densely covered with 65 118

forest
 1976 August 17 M8.1
The 1976 Moro Gulf Earthquake & Tsunami
The Moro Gulf earthquake left in its
wake ~4,000 deaths, ~2,000
missing, ~8,000 injured and ~
12,000 families (~90,000 people)
were rendered homeless. Of the
number of casualties, about 90%
was due to the tsunami. Damage
estimate (1976 Peso Value): 400
Million ++
The 1976 Moro Gulf Earthquake & Tsunami

Characteristics
❑Great Magnitude
❑Shallow hypocenter
❑Beneath a body of
water
❑Large rupture length
❑Vertical displacement
 The 1976 Moro Gulf Earthquake & Tsunami
Tsunami Accounts:
Sequence of Events
❖A violent shock that awaken
people and make standing &
walking difficult
❖unusually deep recession of
the sea
❖A strong prolonged
Inundated villages (along Moro Gulf) approaching sound
❖arrival of waves!!!
 KEY ACTIONS FOR DISASTER
RISK REDUCTION
• Know Hazards and Risks
<Hazard and Risk Assessment
• Monitor
<Monitoring
• Warn and Disseminate Information
<Communication
• Respond Properly and Timely
<Preparedness, Mitigation, Response,
Recovery
Hazard Maps

PHIVOLCS produces maps

showing areas prone to earthquake
or volcanic hazards.

These are made available to users

either as printed output or digital
data.
Tsunami Hazard Map

Waveheight: 3.5 meters

(+ 2 meters if high tide)

Estimate extent of
inundation
 Total male population Total female population
PRELIMINARY RESULTS Estimated male population
exposed to hazard
Estimated female population
exposed to hazard

PRELIMINARY Limitations:
-City-level 80 and Over
City Male Female Total assessment 70 - 74
RESULTS
Manila 574,632 592,182 1,166,814
-Population was 60 - 64
Male Female

evenly distributed 50 - 54
Pasay 137,495 139,195 276,690 among all structures 40 - 44

Age Group
prone to tsunami 30 - 34
Navotas 126,563 122,746 249,309
20 - 24
Malabon 121,164 119,656 240,820 10 - 14
Future
Paranaque 68,039 71,333 139,372 improvements:
0-4
Source: Las Pinas 56,312 59,121 115,433 -Barangay-level 700600500400300200100 0 100200300400500600700
assessment
1- Tsunami 3- Land Use –
Caloocan 56,977 56,804 113,781 -Daytime & nighttime
Hazard –
PHIVOLCS,
RAP, 2013
Valenzuela 50,033 49,008 99,041 scenarios Population ( '000 )
Makati 23,682 26,256 Administrative
49,938
2013

2- Population – 4- Building boundaries are Building Use Number of Structures Exposed

PSA, 2015 Footprints –
NAMRIA, 2011
Estimated Population 2,451,198
approximate

Residential 169,925
Mixed Residential and 95,331
Commercial
Commercial 14,972
Industrial 6,012
Institutional 6,116
Cultural 1,765
Infrastructure and Utilities 3,276

Recreational 658
Agriculture 810
Total: 299,044
Hazard and Risk Assessment Software
REDAS by DOST-PHIVOLCS
Earthquake and
Tsunami Impact
Assessment TsuSIM (Tsunami
Module Simulation and Impact
Assessment Module)
which can estimate
tsunami impacts.

Hazard Assessment Module

Flood Loss
Assessment Tool
Exposure: Building

Severe Wind
Impact Modelling
Module

Exposure Data Module

 EARTHQUAKE, TSUNAMI AND VOLCANO
MONITORING NETWORKS
• Seismic stations for • real-time tide gauges for
earthquake monitoring tsunami monitoring • Some active volcanoes
with near real-time
seismic monitoring, with
integrated multi-
parameter monitoring
Seismic stations with
satellite communication
• community detection and Satellite

warning systems/alerting Observation

Station
w/ LOS

Volcano
Observatory QC Office
Earthquake and Tsunami
Monitoring Center
EARTHQUAKE MONITORING NETWORK
•Seismic station network (seismographs)
- staff-controlled seismic stations, satellite telemetry
seismic stations, volcano-seismic stations with satellite
telemetry

Data Receiving Center

Seismic stations
with satellite
communication

Digital Seismic Record

National Tsunami Monitoring and
Early Warning

• Tsunami Network Development

• Tsunami Network Monitoring
• Tsunami Data Management
• Tsunami Science R&D
National Tsunami Monitoring and Early
Warning Program

• This program aims to enhance the tsunami

monitoring and warning systems in the
Philippines that would ensure the prompt and
accurate issuance of tsunami bulletins

• PHIVOLCS shall act as the national tsunami

warning center and shall issue the appropriate
information containing the event description
and corresponding recommendation.
 Program Objectives
Programs/Projects
• Establishment of Sea Level Monitoring Stations
• Development of Event-based Tsunami Scenario
Database
• Improvement of Tsunami Monitoring and
Warning System and SOP
• Establishment of Cost-Effective Tsunami Early
Warning System for Selected High Risk Coastal
Communities (TeWS)
 Sea Level Monitoring Network
Network Existing
Real-time 19 (PHIVOLCS thru
tide JICA)
gauges 5 (PTWC, RIMES,
GLOSS)
Communit 10
y tsunami (PHIVOLCS)
detection and 58 alerting sirens
and
warning
system

PHIVOLCS thru JICA

PHIVOLCS Community
Tsunami Detection
Sea Level Monitoring Network
Sea Level Monitoring Network
The whole process from detection to reception
takes 1 minute.

Detection Transmission Reception and

Microwave level Transmits data to interpretation of
gauge detects the PHIVOLCS DRC data
Data is displayed and stored
changes in sea level via satellite on servers for interpretation
TWD – Tsunami Wave Detector
-Uses a Microwave Level Gauge as
sensor.
-Transmits an ultrasonic wave.
-Produces a measurement of the
Sea Level every 1 s.
-Transmits data to the DTS (Data
Transmission Station).

-Changes in the sea level will be

detected and depending on the
occurrence of an earthquake be
interpreted as indications of
a tsunami event. This allows warning
of an imminent tsunami threat to be
issued to the public.
DTS – Data Transmission Station
-Receives data from the TWD via UHF
radio.
-Has the ability to temporarily store data
in its datalogger.
-Transmits data to the DRC via satellite.
-May be elevated or on the ground
depending on what is necessary.
-Located a certain distance from the
TWD.

DTS

TWD
 Sea Level Monitoring Network
Corregidor

Tsunami Wave Detector Data Transmission Station (DTS)

 Sea Level Data

Data Receiving Center-

PHIVOLCS, Quezon City
Community Tsunami early Warning System
Detection Stations = 10
Alerting Stations = 58

1. ALBAY GULF
2. BISLIG BAY
3. LAMON BAY
4. LEYTE GULF
5. LINGAYEN GULF
6. LUBANG-BATANGAS
7. MANILA BAY
8. PANAY GULF
9. SARANGANI BAY
10. SUBIC BAY
 Community Tsunami early Warning System
Tsunami Detection Stations

Cell Site

PHIVOLCS/ASTI and LGUs

Tsunami Visualization and Decision Tool Communities
Community Tsunami early Warning System
Community Tsunami early Warning System
Alerting Station
Community Tsunami early Warning System

Sampling rate:

TDS - 10mins (Shift to 1 min

when wet/dry triggered)

TAS - 180mins

87
 This is the site map of the Tsunami
Detection Station and Alerting
Stations for Metro Manila
DETECTION STATION:
• Corregidor, Cavite

ALERTING STATIONS:
• Corregidor, Cavite
• Don Galo, Paranaque City
• La Huerta, Paranaque
• 29-M (Lao-Lao), Cavite City
• San Dionisio, Paranaque City
• San Jose, Paombong
• San Pascual, Obando
• San Rafael, Noveleta
The Tsunami Detection station for Manila Bay is • Tambo, Paranaque City

located in Corregidor Island, Cavite • Tanza North, Navotas City

• Tanza South, Navotas City

Alerting
station
set up at
Navotas
City
Tsunami Information
Tsunami Information is released if an
earthquake with the potential to generate a
tsunami occurred.
• The information is either an:
-Advisory
-Warning
• threat to the Philippines,
• and the recommended action for possible
affected places.
• It also shows the earthquake parameters
of the event.
Tsunami Information is posted and
can be accessed at the DOST-
PHIVOLCS website
https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/.
Click on TSUNAMI – Tsunami
Advisory and Warning, a list of
the latest Tsunami Information in
the Philippines will be shown.
Click on Tsunami Information No.
to view details of that event.
Tsunami Information is released if an
earthquake with the potential to
generate a tsunami occurred. The
information is either an Advisory or
Warning, a threat to the Philippines, and
the recommended action for possible
affected places. It also shows the
earthquake parameters of the event.
Advisory PHIVOLCS will No evacuation order
monitor sea level is in effect.
SEA changes and provide Public is advised to
LEVEL update. wait and listen for
CHANGE updates.
MONITORING
Tsunami Information Products
INFORMATION Number
Date and Time Released

ADVISORY TYPE

PARAMETERS OF EQ (PHIVOLCS EQ INFO

for local events, or INTERNATIONAL
WARNING AGENCIES for distant events)

THREAT

RECOMMENDATION

DUTY OFFICERS
International Tsunami Warning Centers

Intergovernmental Coordination
Group for the Pacific Tsunami Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
Warning and Mitigation System
(ICG/PTWS)

North West Pacific Tsunami South China Sea Tsunami

Advisory Center (NWPTAC) Advisory Center (SCSTAC)
International Tsunami Warning Centers
TEXT PRODUCTS
• Tsunami Information
• Evaluation/
Recommendation
• Estimated Time of Arrival
• Tsunami Threat Forecast
• Promptly issued
• Available online (Official
Websites)
• Receive through fax, email
International Tsunami Warning Centers
GRAPHICAL PRODUCTS
• Tsunami Modelling results
• Deep Ocean Amplitude Forecast
• Tsunami Travel Time Forecasts
• Coastal Tsunami Amplitude Forecast
• Forecast Polygons
• Available ~ 30 mins after the event
• Only tsunami National Contacts and
Tsunami Warning Focal Points
 EARTHQUAKE

Seismic Data
Analysis and
Decision Support
No Potential Tools
for tsunami High Potential for tsunami

Non Life Life

Threatening Threatening
ADVISORY SEA LEVEL CHANGE MINOR SEA LEVEL TSUNAMI WARNING
NO TSUNAMI THREAT MONITORING DISTURBANCE

ADVISORY LIFTED WARNING LIFTED

Tsunami Information Products
DECISION SUPPORT TOOLS (LOCAL)

JICA SEA-LEVEL
MONITORING
STATION

TSUNAMI DATABASE SWIFT

TEWS
 Event-Based
Tsunami Scenario Database

❑ 0.5 degree interval ❑ 5 depth cases (10km, 20km, 40km,

80km, 100km)
❑ 5 magnitude cases
(M8.5, M8.0, M7.5, ❑ 2 strike angles for some faults
M7.0, M6.5)
Other DECISION SUPPORT TOOLS

TIDE TOOL TSUNAMI TRAVEL TIME

The National Warning Agency
will decide which Tsunami
Information to issue.
Tsunami mitigation measures
- Choice of which mitigation measures to use
depends on the community and capability to
adapt.
Non-Structural Structural
▪ Information campaign ▪ Construction of seawalls,
▪ Tsunami hazard maps breakers, tsunami
▪ Tsunami evacuation plans platforms, towers
▪ Tsunami warning and ▪ Construction of additional
information signage alternate access roads
▪ Tsunami marker (development of roads
▪ Land use planning perpendicular to the coast
▪ Preservation of mangrove for faster evacuation)
areas
▪ Coastal zoning
 Structural Countermeasures
❑ Sea walls and breakwaters
❑ Tide control gates
❑ Flood gates
❑ Elevated Structure
❑ Construction of additional
alternate access roads
(development of roads
perpendicular to the coast for
faster evacuation)
Bohol
Non-Structural Countermeasures
Use of Hazard Map
 Non-structural Countermeasures

Planting of trees and

preservation of
mangrove

Bohol
 Non-structural Countermeasures
Establishment of
Community–based
Early Warning System
for Tsunami (CBEWS)

Tsunami signage

Tsunami Evacuation Map Tsunami Marker, Baler, Aurora

Tsunami
Preparedness

Joan C. Salcedo
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology –
Department of Science and Technology
DOST-PHIVOLCS
What to do ?
Run away from the shore towards
higher grounds! (Pre-identified)
Developing a Tsunami-
Prepared Community
 The 1976 M8.1 Moro Gulf Earthquake & Tsunami

Tsunami Accounts:
Sequence of Events
❖A violent shock that awaken
people and make standing &
walking difficult
❖unusually deep recession of
the sea

Inundated villages (along Moro Gulf)

❖A strong prolonged
approaching sound
❖arrival of waves!!!
 Natural Signs of an
Impending Local Tsunami
Felt earthquake Unusual Sound

SHAKE ROAR
DROP
Unusual & sudden rise or
fall of coastal waters
Exposure of corals, underwater
rocks, and marine life
Understand the
Tsunami
INFORMATION
Tsunami Safety and
Preparedness Measures:
• Do not stay in low-lying coastal areas after a felt
earthquake. Move to higher grounds immediately.

• If unusual sea conditions like rapid lowering of sea

level are observed, immediately move towards
high grounds.

During the retreat of sea level, interesting sights are often revealed. Fishes
may be stranded on dry land, thereby attracting people to collect them.
Sandbars and coral flats may also be exposed. These scenes tempt people
to flock to the shoreline thereby increasing the number of people at risk.
Tsunami Safety and
Preparedness Measures:
• Never go down the beach to watch and/or
document an incoming tsunami. When you see
the wave, you are too close to escape it.

• Stay out of danger areas until “All Clear” is

issued by proper authorities.

• It is important to remember that a tsunami is a

series of waves, and not just a single wave.
Objectives:
At the end of this module, the participants will be able to:
1. define a tsunami;
2. distinguish a tsunami from tidal waves and storm surge;
3. explain how tsunami is generated;
4. differentiate locally generated tsunami from far field or
distant tsunami;
5. enumerate the 3 natural signs of an approaching local
tsunami;
6. enumerate some tsunami safety and preparedness
measures
7. differentiate the types of Philippine Tsunami Information
 Maraming Salamat po….

Referencse: PHIVOLCS Info materials. UNESCO-IOC. Tsunami, The Great Waves. IOC Brochure 2006-2. Paris,
UNESCO, 2006.
JlCruz-Salcedo 120
How to develop a tsunami-prepared community?

1. Increase awareness on basic tsunami information

What is a tsunami?
(generation, hazards)
How to develop a tsunami-prepared community?

2. Tsunami hazard and risk mapping

• waveheight
• Inundation
• Areas to be affected
• Elements-at-risk
(exposure)
How to develop a tsunami-prepared community?
3. Tsunami evacuation planning
3.1 Tsunami evacuation map – shows areas identified as safe
and areas that are within the hazard zone
Essential information provided in this map:
1)Areas threatened by tsunami inundation
2)Location of designated safe areas where people should
gather in case of tsunami
3)Recommended routes to the safe area for people to follow
which are normally indicated as arrows
4)Other significant information such as landmarks for people to
identify location
How to develop a tsunami-prepared community?

3.2 Designing a tsunami evacuation map

Step 1: Acquire a tsunami hazard map
Acquire detailed community map
- update the community map (road
systems, elements-at-risk)
- determine the population to evacuate
How to develop a tsunami-prepared community?
3.2 Designing a tsunami
evacuation map
Step 2: Identify safe evacuation
areas
- site is outside identified
tsunami hazard zone
- site can be reached by foot
within the shortest possible
time
- total area of the site can hold
the community to be evacuated
- site can be easily identified
How to develop a tsunami-prepared community?

3.2 Designing a tsunami evacuation map

Step 3: Recommend evacuation routes
- safest, shortest/fastest
- wide streets
- if possible, no bridges
- away from other hazards
- limited overhead power lines and similar hazards
- “walk along routes” to check ground condition
How to develop a tsunami-prepared community?

3.2 Designing a tsunami

evacuation map
Step 4: Hold small
workshop for community
leaders to finalize maps
- create working map
with the tsunami inundation
zone, identified evacuation
areas and routes
How to develop a tsunami-prepared community?

3.2 Designing a tsunami evacuation map

Step 5: Develop complete version of the map
- finalize map out of inputs from the group
workshop
- should be simple and easy to read
- tsunami hazard zone
- safe evacuation areas
- recommended evacuation routes
- local landmarks
How to develop a tsunami-prepared community?
Tsunami evacuation map – shows areas
identified as safe and areas that are within the
hazard zone
How to develop a tsunami-prepared community?
4. Community education about tsunami
4.1 Community information campaign
• Which areas have high hazard for being flooded in a
tsunami?
• List of natural tsunami warning signs
• Basic information on tsunami evacuation plan
• Causes of tsunami
• How tsunamis affect communities
• Ways to reduce tsunami damage
How to develop a tsunami-prepared community?
4. Community education about tsunami

4.1 Community information campaign

4.2 Putting up tsunami signages

4.3 Conduct of tsunami drill

160meters
Directional signage
Tsunami prone Evacuation area
How to develop a tsunami-prepared community?
4. Community education about tsunami
4.1 Community information campaign
4.2 Putting up tsunami signages

4.3 Conduct of tsunami drill

• Table top exercise
• Simple walk-through exercise
• Full-scale tsunami drill
Phases of a tsunami drill
1)Alarm phase
2)Reaction
3)Evacuation phase
4)Assembly phase
5)Headcount phase
6)Drill termination
7)Post-drill evaluation
How to develop a tsunami-prepared community?
5. Establishing a tsunami warning system
• Identify key offices and officials that will be part of the
communication flow for information and warning

• Identify existing equipment (telephone, SMS, fax, 2-way

radio, sirens, bells, megaphones, indigenous or locally
available equipment such as batingaw or church bells)
• Identify appropriate warning system
scheme and establish final warning system
procedure for the community

• Install additional equipment for warning

system

• Establish final flow chart of information

test warning and communication system
Empirical Formula for tsunami run-up height by Abe (1989)

Log H1 = Mw – log ∆ 5.55 + C

Mw : Moment magnitude
∆ : Propagation distance
C : Regional constant

Inundation: Maximum inundation (Hills &

Mader, 1997 and Prist, 1995)
Xmax = (Hs)1.33 n-2 k
Coastline roughness
n1 = 0.015 flat areas
n2 = 0.03 buildings
n3 = 0.07 dense forest