Introduction

Tsunamis are dramatic, intriguing, and sometimes devastating. They have inspired many legends around the world. This lesson will help you learn how different cultures have included tsunamis in their legends. Consider the following questions as you read. The questions can be used also for classroom discussions or as the starting point for short essays.

  1. Why do you think tsunamis have been the source for so many legends?
  2. What differences in level of realism do you see among the legends presented? Do you think some of them should NOT be labeled as “legends”? Why?
  3. What purposes do legends serve? What other legends can you think of that serve the same purposes as these tsunami legends?
  4. The Cascadia section relates a scientific “detective story.” What role did the legend play in the “detective story”?
  5. What do some legends have in common with science processes?