TSUNAMI

TYPES OF TSUNAMI
Local Tsunami
A local tsunami is a tsunami that causes damage in relatively close proximity to
the tsunami-causing event. Specifically, the underwater event -- usually an
earthquake -- that produces a local tsunami happens within 100 km, which is a
little over 60 miles, of the land damage that results. These tsunamis can be
devastating because the time between the underwater event and the arrival of
the tsunami can be under an hour -- and sometimes less than 10 minutes. This
does not provide sufficient time for comprehensive evacuations.

Regional Tsunami
A regional tsunami is one that causes damage from 100 km to 1,000 km from the
underwater event that causes the tsunami. In some cases, more contained damages
occur outside the 1,000 km perimeter. Regional tsunamis provide slightly more
warning time than local tsunamis, making landfall between one and three hours of
the event that causes them. Within the 1,000 km area, just one to three hours may
not provide enough time for people to evacuate safely.

Distant Tsunami
A distant tsunami, also called a tele-tsunami or ocean-wide tsunami -- originates with
an exceptionally powerful and destructive event more than 1,000 km away from
landfall. Though a distant tsunami may first appear like a local tsunami, it travels
across wide swathes of ocean basin. There is more time to evacuate and escape a
distant tsunami, but it also covers a larger mass of land and tends to cause extensive
and widespread destruction.
 BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER TSUNAMI
Before a tsunami

• Establish whether your home and other places

you frequent are in tsunami hazard areas.
• Know how high above sea level your street is
and how far it is from the coast. Evacuation
orders may be based on those figures.
• Cobble together an emergency supplies kit.
• Practice evacuating.
• Know your children’s school evacuation plans
and figure out how to get them.
• Tourists should get familiar with evacuation
information.

During a tsunami

• If there’s an earthquake while you are on

the coast and indoors, drop, cover and
hold on. If you’re outside, stay away from
falling objects.
• When the shaking is over, move quickly
to inland, higher ground. Go on foot if
you can. Stay there until officials say it’s
all clear.
• Bring your animals if you evacuate. Bring
your preparedness kit.

After a tsunami

• Tell family and friends you’re OK.

• Keep tuned in to official information sources
or local media.
• Don’t assume the danger is over after the
first wave. The next one might be bigger.
• Call authorities if someone needs to be
rescued.
• Help people such as the elderly, infants and
people with disabilities.
• Stay away from disaster zones and out of
buildings that have water around them.
• Be cautious when re-entering buildings and
cleaning up.
 BE ALERT!
BE ALWAYS READY!

Tsunami Warning – a warning indicates the potential for “widespread inundation is imminent,
expected, or occurring.” The warning area initially extends two hours tsunami travel time from the
location of M 7.0 earthquakes and extends three hours for M 7.5 or greater events. As more
tsunami data becomes available, a warning will be adjusted as needed, whether canceled,
extended, or refined. Arrival times will be issued with a warning, and like a watch, a warning may
be adjusted and should be monitored. Due to possible time constraints and imminent tsunami
arrival, you should quickly move to safe, higher ground or inland while continuing to monitor.

Tsunami Advisory – an advisory indicates that significant inland impacts are not expected but the
potential for “strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or very near the water is imminent,
expected, or occurring.” The advisory too can be adjusted as new data is reviewed and the best
action is to stay away from low-lying coastal areas and to follow the direction of local authorities.

Tsunami Watch – a watch is issued when hazards are not yet known but are possible beyond the
warning area. The initial watch area extends one-hour travel time beyond the warning area for M
7.0 earthquakes and three hours beyond for M 7.5 or greater. As specific tsunami information
becomes available, a watch will be upgraded to a warning, an advisory, or discontinued, so a
tsunami watch is a signal to stay tuned for more information and be prepared to act/evacuate if
you’re in a coastal or dangerous location. There is much more uncertainty with a tsunami watch
compared to a weather watch, where there is a reasonable chance of activity within the weather
watch area.

Tsunami Information Statement – a statement is issued when an event occurs that generates, or
has the potential to generate, a tsunami. A statement is typically issued to affirm there is “no
threat of a destructive basin-wide tsunami and to prevent unnecessary evacuations.” Statements
may be updated as new data become available, so a statement is not a definitive ‘all-clear’ notice.