Tsunami Hazards

Margarita A. Mariano, LPT

What is Tsunami?

Tsunami
 sea waves resulting from
the disturbance of ocean
floor by an earthquake;
 is a series of giant sea
waves commonly
generated by under-the-
sea earthquakes and
whose heights could be
greater than 5 meters.
Tsunami vs. Storm Surge

TSUNAMI
 a Japanese word meaning
“harbor waves”.
 A tsunami is commonly generated by
disturbances associated with
earthquakes occurring below or near
the ocean floor.
 It occurs when the earthquake is
shallow-seated and strong enough to
displace parts of the seabed and
disturb the mass of water over it.
 In addition, underwater volcanic
eruptions and landslides can also
generate a tsunami.
Tidal Waves
 Sometimes, tsunamis are  The increase in wave
erroneously called “tidal
heights associated or
waves”. Remember that
tsunamis are generated by during typhoons (when
earthquakes and tsunami there are strong winds)
waves are generated because or tropical cyclones are
of movement of fault under
called “storm surges”.
the sea.
 Tsunamis have nothing to do
with high tide and low tide
which is caused by the
gravitational pull between the
earth and moon.
Two kinds of Tsunami
There are two types of
tsunami generation:
(1) local tsunami
(2) and far field or distant
tsunami.
 The coastal areas in the
Philippines especially
those facing the Pacific
Ocean, South China
Sea, Sulu Sea and
Celebes Sea can be
affected by tsunamis
that may be generated
by local earthquakes.
Two Kinds of Tsunami

Local tsunamis
 are confined to coasts
within a hundred
kilometers of the
source usually
earthquakes and a
landslide or a
pyroclastic flow.
 It can reach the
shoreline within 2 to 5
minutes.
Two Kinds of Tsunami
 PTWC (Pacific Tsunami Warning
2. Far field or distant
tsunamis can travel from
1 to 24 hours before
reaching the coast of the
nearby countries. These
tsunamis mainly coming
from the countries
bordering Pacific Ocean
like Chile (1960 2010,
2015), Alaska in USA and
Japan (2011).
Center) and NWPTAC
(Northwest Pacific Tsunami
Advisory Center) are the
responsible agencies that closely
monitor Pacific-wide tsunami
event and send tsunami warning
to the countries around the
Pacific Ocean. (from PHIVOLCS,
2008, Training Module School
Teachers’ Seminar-Training on
Natural Hazards Awareness and
Preparedness Focus on
Earthquakes and Volcanoes )
Signs of Tsunami
I. Feel an earthquake. If the ground shakes under your feet in a coastal
region, a tsunami may have been caused by a strong undersea earthquake.
However, you may not feel an earthquake if the event is far away.

II. See ocean water disappear from the beach, bay or river Before a tsunami
arrives, water may recede from the shoreline before returning as a fast-
moving wall of water. If you notice the water is disappearing, tell your
family and friends and prepare to move inland or to higher ground.

III. Hear an unusual roaring sound If you hear a loud roar approaching (a bit
like a passenger jet or a train), tell your family and friends. It could be a
tsunami approaching.
Quiz - True or False?

1. I should go to the shore to watch a tsunami. [FALSE]

2. All undersea earthquakes cause tsunami. [FALSE]

3. If I felt a strong earthquake while near the coast, I

should wait to hear the rumbling sound before moving
to high ground (FALSE )

4. If a small tsunami is coming, I should get out of the

water and wait until I hear it is safe to return. [TRUE]
5. Is a big tsunami is coming, I should move as
far inland as I can or to higher ground. [TRUE]

6. If I am swimming when a small tsunami

comes, I could get dragged out to sea by the
strong rips and currents. [TRUE]

7. A tsunami is most often caused by undersea

earthquakes. [TRUE]