This lesson is designed to help emergency managers prepare their communities for tsunamis. Topics include basic tsunami science, hazards produced by tsunamis, the tsunami warning system, the importance of public education activities, and how to craft good emergency messages and develop tsunami response plans. The lesson also contains links to extensive Reference and Resources sections.
Explain the causes of tsunamis, how the wave propagates through the ocean, and why wave height increases as it approaches the coast
Describe the factors that influence coastal inundation
Discuss the hazards associated with tsunamis
Assess community risk
Identify the appropriate action to take for each type of forecast product
Describe the components of an effective tsunami response plan that encompasses hazard mitigation strategies and disaster management tactics
tsunami, emergency management, National Tsunami Warning Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, submarine landslide, earthquake, emergency response plan, runup, tsunami warning signs, TsunamiReady, wave, warning, watch, advisory, information statement, inundation
December 2020 - The lesson was updated to current internet standards (mp4/html5), with no changes to content.
December 2017: The Resources and References pages were updated to reflect current links, including a direct link to all US Tsunami Warning System information. The lesson updates also include information about NTWC and PTWC areas of responsibility as of 2017.
October 2015: Recent additions include updated hazards information and other revisions to reflect the evolution of the warning process since the original 2011 publication. Additional details about meteotsunamis and recent meteotsunami impacts on the U.S. East Coast are provided. The lesson also offers updated examples of National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) and Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) products, as well as information about the updated TsunamiReady Guidelines, to be implemented beginning in 2016.
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