EXPLORING TSUNAMIS
Classification of Waves
In This Issue:
• Defining a Tsunami
• Causes of Tsunamis
• Characteristics of a
Tsunami
• Where are Tsunamis
Most Common
• How You May Be
Affected by a
Tsunami
Defining a Tsunami
A Tsunami is a large wave that when it
meets landfall has the potential to
cause immense harm to coastal
communities. The Oxford dictionary
defines a tsunami as “A seismic sea
wave of long period, produced by a
submarine earthquake, underwater
volcanic explosion, or massive gravity
slide of sea-bed sediment”. Tsunamis
are commonly mis-identified as either
tidal waves or seismic sea waves, but
these are in fact misrepresentations
and they are instead their own
Tidal waves are the regular waves that
you see day to day, caused by the pull
of gravity between the earth and the
moon, whereas tsunamis are caused by
one of several different potential
disturbances that may occur
underwater. Additionally, a tsunami
differs from a seismic sea wave
because while some tsunamis are
caused by seismic activity, it is not an
exclusive cause. The term “seismic sea
wave” is not broad enough to
encompass all potential causes of a
tsunami.
Causes of Tsunamis
What makes a tsunami unique
compared to other waves is the root
cause. Often major flooding events are
the cause of high winds, severe rain,
and high ocean temperatures amongst
other things. Meanwhile, tsunamis are
different because they are the result of
underwater disturbances deep within
the ocean and are completely
separate from weather events. The
disturbances that cause tsunamis range
from underwater earthquakes,
landslides, volcanic eruptions,
meteorites, and even caving glaciers.
These then cause waves to radiate in all
directions until they reach land, causing
flooding and destruction. Below is a
diagram depicting various causes of
tsunamis and how they in turn create
these large destructive waves.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Characteristics of a
Tsunami
There are several unique characteristics
of tsunamis that separate them from
other waves. First and foremost, they
are not caused by weather events
which is critical to separating a tsunami
from hurricanes or typhoons.
Additionally, they are always in a
series of several waves, and never just
one really bad wave. Once these
waves are set into motion, via one of
the several possible disturbances, they
then travel a vast distance at very high
speeds. The deeper in the ocean a
tsunami was caused, the faster it
travels. Something that is often
surprising is that while in the open
ocean tsunamis are frequently
undetected and look no different from
every other, normal, ocean waves.
Once the tsunami reaches land it hits
the shallower water. The lack of depth
in the shallow water and the built-up
energy in the tsunami waves is what
creates the very large and destructive
waves that are characteristic of
tsunamis.
Where are Tsunamis
Most Common
Tsunamis are most common within the
Pacific Ocean, particularly around the
land areas that surround the ocean. This
is because this area is particularly
vulnerable to seismic activity and a
geological “hot-spot” for tsunami
causing disturbances, winning it the
name the “Ring of Fire”. In fact, 90% of
the worlds earth quakes and 4out of 5
tsunamis occur in the subduction zones
around the Pacific Ocean. Subduction
zones are the areas where two tectonic
plates collide and create an
earthquake.
Encyclopedia Britannica depiction of the Ring of Fire
How You May Be
Affected By A Tsunami
There are several potential outcomes
from a tsunami on coastal towns that
may impact the local residents. One
major affect that is common is soil
erosion and overall altering the pre-
existing landscape. The heavy impact
from the waves has the power to move
ocean sediment and other bits of land,
causing it to alter. This can affect
communities, especially as they begin
to rebuild after a tsunami. This is
particularly true if it is a common area
to fish in. Additionally, the force of a
tsunami could potentially wreak havoc
on the structures that exist on the coast.
This could be both structures that exist
already in the water such as
boardwalks, as well as any buildings
along the beach and in a beach front
community. As the force of the tsunami
breaks these structures it will then carry
the debris across the land, creating a
significant amount of trash and hazard
for people that will then need to be
cleaned. In a worst-case scenario, an
un-prepared town may also
experience loss of life. This is
particularly true if they are not able to
prepare enough in advance of a
tsunami or evacuate in time. Tsunami
waves travel faster then a human can
run, even on land, therefore it is very
dangerous to try to “wait it out”, and it
is a much safer option to evacuate as
soon as an incoming tsunami warning is
sent out. If you live in an area that is at
a high risk of tsunamis it is
recommended to have a plan for you
and your family in the case that a
tsunami was to happen.
Japan tsunami of 2011, Encyclopedia Britannica
Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, National Weather Service
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Ring of fire. Encyclopædia
Britannica. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from
https://www.britannica.com/place/Ring-of-Fire
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Tsunami. Encyclopædia Britannica.
Retrieved June 8, 2022, from
https://www.britannica.com/science/tsunami
National Geographic. (2021, May 4). Tsunami Facts and Information.
Environment. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/tsu
namis
Tsunamis: WA - DNR. WA. (n.d.). Retrieved June 8, 2022, from
https://www.dnr.wa.gov/programs-and-
services/geology/geologic-hazards/Tsunamis
U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Coastal geohazards-tsunamis
(U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service. Retrieved
June 8, 2022, from https://www.nps.gov/articles/coastal-
geohazards-
tsunamis.htm#:~:text=Upon%20making%20contact%20with%
20the,dunes%20susceptible%20to%20further%20erosion.
US Department of Commerce, N. O. A. A. (2019, August 14). NWS
Jetstream Max - 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. NWS JetStream
MAX - 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Retrieved June 8, 2022,
from https://www.weather.gov/jetstream/2004tsu_max
EXPLORING TSUNAMIS
In This Issue:
• Tsunami Alert
Systems
• Where to Find
Tsunami Information
and Warnings
• How to Prepare for a
Tsunami
Tsunami Alert Systems
The United States currently has two
tsunami warning systems that serve
North America. The National Tsunami
Warning Center is based out of
Palmer, Alaska and serves the
continental United States, Alaska, and
Canada. The second tsunami warning
center is The Pacific Tsunami Warning
Center and operates out of Ford,
Hawaii. This warning center serves the
Hawaiian Islands, the U.S Pacific and
Caribbean Territories, as well as the
British Virgin Islands. This is the primary
international forecast center for
tsunamis and other oceanographic
hazards. Both of these organizations
work through the National Oceanic and
Atmosphere Administration (NOAA)
which is a subset of the United States
Department of Commerce. The NOAA
focus primarily on tsunami research,
detection, and mitigation in order to
better prepare for future incoming
tsunamis. A large part of detection and
mitigation is their forecasting and
warning system. The NOAA tracks and
forecasts tsunamis by monitoring
seismic activity, water levels, and
topography in order to estimate when
and where a tsunami may occur. They
do this by utilizing a series of both
deep-water and coastline ocean
instruments that keep track of ocean
conditions. These help to evaluate the
presence of tsunami waves in the ocean
and forecast when and where they
may make landfall. The NOAA Is then
able to issue appropriate warning
messages as necessary.
National Weather Service Alert Scale
Where to Find Tsunami
Information and
Warnings
There are various places where you
may be able to find warnings about an
incoming tsunami. The NOAA and
tsunami centers release warnings of an
incoming tsunami across social media,
radio, and television. In recent years
the National Weather Service, who are
partnered with the NOAA, have also
started sending out Wireless
Emergency Alerts (WEA). WEA’s are
alerts that get sent out to cell phones
that are capable of receiving those
messages. You can also visit the NOAA
website which can be found here or the
National Weather Service website
which can be found here, and they are
kept up to date on any incoming
weather emergencies.
There are four main categories of
warnings that determine what kind of
action is recommended. This starts with
an informational statement, up through
watch, advisory, and warning that goes
up the spectrum from least to most
dangerous. These warnings are set out
by the NOAA and the National
Weather Service and is your guild on
how to act should a tsunami head your
way.
National Weather Service Alert Scale
How To Prepare for a
Tsunami
There are several ways that can help
you be safer and more protected in the
midst of a tsunami. Firstly, it is important
to pay attention to the warnings that
are sent out. If there is a tsunami
warning sent out, especially a warning,
there is likely little time and you should
be acting immediately. If there is an
information statement, watch, or
advisory it would be beneficial to still
keep a tabs on the news and alerts that
are coming out to be sure that the
situation does not change in order to
keep yourself safe.
Amongst the threat of a tsunami, it is
recommended to get as far inland and
to the highest ground possible.
Although since there is often very little
time between a warning and when it
makes landfall there may not be
enough time to evacuate to a safer
location. If this is the case, and you do
not have time to evacuate or get to
higher ground, then it is safer to remain
indoors. Keep away from windows and 2022, from https://www.weather.gov/about/warning-
dissemination#:~:text=Once%20one%20of%20the%20122,Se
if possible, remain on the inland side of rvice%20Telecommunication%20Gateway%20(NWSTG)
US Department of Commerce, N. O. A. A. (2019, May 8). Tsunami
the house. If you live in an area that is preparedness and mitigation: Individuals (you!). NWS
JetStream. Retrieved June 10, 2022, from
prone to flooding and tsunamis it is also https://www.weather.gov/jetstream/prep_you
Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, April 26). National Oceanic and
recommended to have an emergency Atmospheric Administration. Wikipedia. Retrieved June 10,
2022, from
bag that you can grab should the need https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Oceanic_and_Atmosp
heric_Administration
arise. Since tsunamis are also
associated with heavy flooding, if you
are in a high-risk area it is advised to
keep any important documents higher
up, such as the top floor of a house, so
they are less likely to get damaged in
the wake of a flood.
Finally, be sure to listen to news and
alerts during a flooding and tsunami
event and listen to what local
emergency systems are saying. Local
authorities will provide further
guidance as needed until it is safe
again. For additional information visit
this website from the American Red
Cross on tsunami preparedness.

Canada, P. S. (2018, February 21). Before a tsunami. Public Safety

Canada. Retrieved June 10, 2022, from
https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/tsnms-bfr-en.aspx
Forecast & Warning. Forecast & Warning | NOAA Tsunami. (n.d.).
Retrieved June 10, 2022, from
https://www.tsunami.noaa.gov/pmel-theme/forecast-warning
US Department of Commerce, N. O. A. A. (2017, July 31). Warning
dissemination. National Weather Service. Retrieved June 10,
EXPLORING TSUNAMIS

In This Issue:
• Highlighting the
Japan Tsunami of
2011
• Outcomes of the
Tsunami
• Survivor Stories

Highlighting the Japan

Tsunami of 2011 There were waves from the earthquake
being felt across the Pacific Ocean to
On March 11, 2011 there was a major Hawaii and California, and as far south
earthquake that occurred off the coast as Antarctica. Below is an image
of Honshu, Japan. The earthquake depicting the spread of waves from the
measured as a 9.0 out of 10 on the epicenter outwards.
Richter scale and was caused by a
rupture in the subduction zone. This
occurred approximately nineteen miles
beneath the ocean floor. It is amongst
one of the largest earthquakes ever
recorded. The subduction zone that
shifted was over 180 miles long and 90
miles wide with tremors being felt in a
radius larger than 1,500 miles. This
earthquake led to a tsunami that hit the
Japanese coast with waves reaching
over 30 feet high.
Outcomes of the the back up generators, which in turn
caused over heating in the cores
Tsunami leading to meltdowns in the fuel rods.
Subsequently, the melted material fell
In addition to the waves, the tsunami into the containment vessels which
also caused flooding up to 6 miles burned the floor and caused an
inland. The water contained a large increase of pressure. This increased
number of debris that became very pressure is what caused the explosions
destructive to buildings and especially in the first three reactors, and later a
the people in its path. The death count fourth. The reactor explosions released
from the earthquake and tsunami radiation in both the air and water in
resulted in over 18,000 deaths, roughly a 15 mile radius.
although many estimates place it
higher. In addition to the deaths there
were also large amounts of buildings
destroyed all up and down the eastern
Japanese coast. The waves and
flooding caused dams to break,
severely damages roads and rail lines,
and knocked out the electric, water,
and sewage systems.

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster radiation radius

One of the most significant and

dangerous outcomes from the tsunami
came from the nuclear power plants
that were right near the coast. In fact,
this tsunami is most notably known for
the Fukushima nuclear power plant that
blew up as a result of the flooding. The
influx of water caused the power plant
generators to shut off, and damaged
 Survivor Stories – 5
Years After the
Tsunami
Takue Hosokawa, Iitate. “My
grandfather started this farm, and I
inherited it from my father. When
the nuclear reactor melted down, I
refused to leave behind the horses,
and I tended to all 130 of the animals
on this farm despite the
contamination around here. The
radiation killed 90 of them, we only
have 40 of them left alive. I watched
them get sick and die over the last
five years. What else could have done
this? When we did an autopsy, we
found 200 becquerel/kg of cesium in
their muscle, but that is not enough
to be considered lethal. Many of my
surviving horses have been sent to
live on other farms, but I have to
prove my ownership of them to get
compensation. So far, I have not been
compensated for any of them, but I
also have not given up. If I have to, I’ll
die here with my horses.”
BBC. (2016, March 9). Japan's tsunami debris: Five
remarkable stories. BBC News. Retrieved June
10, 2022, from
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-
35638091
Beser, A. (2017, December 14). Five years after
Fukushima nuclear disaster, Survivors Share Their
Stories. National Geographic Society
Newsroom. Retrieved June 10, 2022, from
https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2016/03
/08/five-years-after-fukushima-nuclear-
disaster-survivors-share-their-stories/
Clay soil aided devastating Japan quake in 2011. Texas
A&M Today. (2019, September 11). Retrieved
June 10, 2022, from
https://today.tamu.edu/2013/12/05/clay-
soil-aided-devastating-japan-quake-in-2011/
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Japan earthquake and
tsunami of 2011. Encyclopædia Britannica.
Retrieved June 10, 2022, from
https://www.britannica.com/event/Japan-
earthquake-and-tsunami-of-2011
Harris, M. E. (2021, March 10). The 10-year anniversary
of the Great East Japan earthquake and Tsunami.
Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved June 10, 2022,
from https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/03/the-
10-year-anniversary-of-the-great-east-japan-
earthquake-and-tsunami/
Shizuko Watanabe (Front,
Center), Minamisoma “For a year
after the disaster, we saw many
volunteers coming in to our city.
Watching these people come in and
help us in our darkest hour lifted my
spirits. I simply wanted to thank
them, so I used to greet them with
hot miso soup. They kept coming,
and I kept cooking. Eventually I and
my friends opened up Odaka no
Hirugohan [Odaka’s Lunch] as a way
of providing some warm delicious
food to the decontamination
workers, the volunteers, and even
the media who came to tell our
stories. Odaka is still under
restriction, even though levels here
are some of the lowest in the entire
prefecture, we can only come back
for the day. I personally still live in
temporary housing in Haramachi.
Only those who apply for permission
to stay overnight can do so. When
the restrictions are lifted, I’ll give
back this space to the original owners
who used to run a soba shop here. I
can’t wait to go back home and just
be a housewife again.”
Jozuka, E., Essig, B., Ogura, J., & Campisi, D. (2021,
March 11). He clung to a tree for hours to
escape death in Japan's Worst Natural Disaster.
CNN. Retrieved June 10, 2022, from
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/10/asia/japa
n-tohoku-fukushima-tenth-anniversary-hnk-dst-
intl/index.html
jstraka, A. (2015, October 30). Fukushima Daiichi nuclear
disaster. Jennifer Straka. Retrieved June 10,
2022, from
https://sites.suffolk.edu/jstraka/2015/10/30/
fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-disaster/
Yoshiko Amano,
Nihonmatsu. “My children are
living and working in Iwaki nearby
Namie, our hometown. They
work for the Dai Ichi Nuclear
Power Plant. They screen people
that go in and out of the nuclear
reactor to see how much
radiation the workers have been
exposed to. They do not go in
themselves, they work in an area
with low levels of radiation, but
they are exposed to the people
who come from there and I
worry about them. It’s been five
years since the disaster, but we
are willing to go back home. We
just want to see the radiation
problem solved, but it takes time,
and there is nothing to do but
wait. We are suffering from
stress more than anything. We
can’t go home. We can’t go
anywhere new. We are stuck in
limbo and it has traumatized us.
Now it is Winter. Winters here
are much colder than Namie. It
doesn’t snow there, we could
walk around outside in a T-shirt
and jacket, but here in
Nihonmatsu it starts getting cold
after 3 p.m. and I have to wear
many layers, but you know, we
are used to it now that we’ve
been here for so long.”