TSUNAMI

TSUNAMI

apanese term “tsunami”, which

bor waves.
of origin, all tsunamis are
y powerful events that cause
placement of large volume of
TSUNAMI GENERATION
 A tsunami may occur when ocean water is
displaced suddenly causing the formation of
waves that reach the shore in large heights.
The movement of an offshore fault during an
earthquake may trigger displacement of
ocean water if accompanied by an uplift of
the seabed. This causes a piece of the
seafloor to be pushed up into the overlying
ocean. The water above is displaced or
pushed up, triggering waves to be formed.
TSUNAMI PROPAGATION
 The displaced water forms a tsunami wave
that can travel thousands of kilometers
before it reaches land. A tsunami generated
from the South American coast, for example
may reach the eastern coast of the
Philippines in just hours of travel across the
Pacific Ocean.
TSUNAMI RUN-UP AND
INUNDATION
 As tsunami waves gets closer to the shore, it
slows down because of decreasing depth.
When the tsunami wave has subsided,
sediments and all sorts of debris (trees,
vehicles of all kinds and building materials).

 A tsunami wave looks more like a wall of water

in contrast to a tidal wave which rolls as it
approaches the shore.
  
MOST DESTRUCTIVE TSUNAMIS
RECORDED
 The 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
 Tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.0
magnitude earthquake is considered one of
the most powerful earthquakes ever
recorded.
 Some 19,300 perished due to the tsunami
 The tsunami’s speed approached about 800
kms/hr.
 The December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean
Tsunami
 Triggered by magnitude 9.2 earthquake is
considered the biggest earthquake in 40
years and second largest ever recorded (the
largest earthquake struck Chile on May
22,1960 M 9.5)
 CAUSES OF TSUNAMI
 Landslides. It includes landslides occurring
under the ocean and coastal landslides
displacing ocean water.
 Volcanic eruption or explosion. Any
submarine or coastal volcanic activity and
products that can trigger by displacing large
volumes of water.
 Meteorite Impact. Meteorites impacting the
ocean can trigger tsunamis.
MONITORING AND WARNING OF
TSUNAMIS

 The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre

(PTWC) monitors the ocean surface using
satellites, radars and buoys in the water that
measure the current speed and waves. These
systems will detect, whether a tsunami was
generated by an earthquake.
 Once a tsunami is generated, the PTWC
alerts local authorities of areas that are
likely to be hit. Areas affected and times of
arrival are determined by computer
simulations, using known tsunami speeds.
The PTWC relays information and warning
about an oncoming tsunami to Pacific
countries linked to it. The Philippines is part
of the PTWC network and receives such
tsunami information and warning through
agencies like PHILVOLCS.
HOW TO ESCAPE A TSUNAMI
 Take the occurrence of an earthquake as a
natural alerting mechanism.
 Always keep a radio or other sources of
information with you.
 Bring a survival kit at all times.
 Once the evacuation is reached, stay there
until advised by authorities.
 Take only escape routes that are safe.
 If escape is too late, cling on to floating
objects to prevent drowning.
EFFECTS OF TSUNAMI

 Large tsunamis have devastating effects to

life, property and the environment. The
main concern is the wholesale loss of lives
due to drowning, building collapse, impact of
various kinds of debris and sometimes be
electrocution>
MEASURES TO PREPARE AND
MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF TSUNAMI
 Provide warning systems and evacuation
plan.
 Remind people through information and
education campaigns about the dangers of
tsunami.
 Personal preparedness can also save lives.
 Construct seawalls on beaches to lessen the
impact of tsunami.
THANK YOU