World Tsunami Awareness Day 2023: History And How to Observe

Every year on November 5, World Tsunami Awareness Day is commemorated. Because of its repeated, devastating tsunami experience, Japan is credited with originating this tradition.

It has gained significant expertise in several sectors, including tsunami early warning, public reaction, and rebuilding back stronger after a calamity to minimize future casualties. To raise awareness about the importance of tsunami education and to encourage communities to respond decisively and without fear when tsunami warnings arrive, the United Nations has designated this day.

World Tsunami Awareness Day History

The United Nations declared November 5 as World Tsunami Awareness Day on December 22, 2015, according to resolution 70/23. Tsunamis are one of the most devastating and dangerous natural disasters, despite their rarity. Because they impact coastal towns as well, they have no borders. They may also attack settlements and villages that are not near the shore.

When there is a potential for a tsunami, coastal communities are the most at risk. Natural warnings of a tsunami’s approach are common, even though tsunamis pose a danger. Strong ground shaking, volcanic eruptions, or the water retreating far enough to expose the seafloor are possible causes. In order to increase worldwide awareness of successful activities, policies, and practices for reducing vulnerability to this form of natural disaster, international cooperation is vital.

In the last 100 years, more than 58 tsunamis have claimed the lives of more than 260,000 people. The Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004 was the deadliest incident in those 100 years, killing the most people. In 14 nations, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand, it resulted in about 227,000 deaths. The international community gathered in Kobe, Japan, three weeks after the tsunami, to adopt the 10-year Hyogo Framework for Action. This pact was the first to address disaster risk reduction on a global scale.

Even more, people are at risk as a result of rapid urbanization and increased tourism in tsunami areas. As a result, it is critical that the world endeavors minimize disaster mortality as much as possible.

HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldTsunamiAwarenessDay

Tsunamis are being spread awareness by many countries across the world. They organize educational seminars and disaster preparedness discussion panels to assist the public to understand tsunamis. Tsunamis are only dangerous to the coastal population. You can observe this day even if you don’t live near the coast. Here are a few approaches that you might try:

• Learn everything you can about tsunamis here.
• Imagine how you would respond if a tsunami struck.
• Make sure you have a disaster preparation plan in place.
• The Impossible, Deep Impact, 2012, and The Perfect Storm are all examples of tsunami films.

On social media, use the hashtag #WorldTsunamiAwarenessDay

5 Facts About World Tsunami Awareness Day

Tsunami is a Japanese word

Japan is known for its tsunami-prone past, and the term “tsunami” (which means “a harbor wave”) is a Japanese word that translates as such.

Tsunamis are very long

A tsunami might stretch for 100 kilometers.

Killer Waves

Killer waves are another name for tsunamis.

Tsunamis have great erosion potential

They can harm trees and other coastal vegetation, as well as remove years of sand from beaches.

Tsunamis are more than one wave

The first wave of a tsunami is typically the smallest, with subsequent waves growing in strength.

World Tsunami Awareness Day FAQS

Why it is important to be aware of a tsunami?

Tsunamis may strike just minutes after a big quake, so coastal communities must prepare themselves and act swiftly to rescue people.

Can we prevent tsunamis?

While tsunamis cannot be avoided, understanding the hazards, receiving prompt warnings, and knowing how to react may help mitigate their effect.

Have any recent tsunamis?

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the coast of the South Sandwich Islands in August 2021, generating a tsunami that traveled around the globe.

Why World Tsunami Awareness Day Is Important

Raising awareness is necessary

This devastating natural catastrophe must be made known to people and governments. In order to reduce the risk of future tsunamis, international cooperation is vital.

It is a good opportunity to commemorate all those lives lost in tsunamis

A tsunami has the potential to cause a large number of fatalities, as previously highlighted. As a result, on this day, people commemorate those who have perished in a tsunami.

This day invites governments to cooperate

Governments are encouraged to work together on World Tsunami Awareness Day to assist the most vulnerable persons. Communities that are vulnerable are often unable to assist themselves.

Conclusion

That’s it for now! We hope the information shared above helps you in understanding more about World Tsunami Awareness Day.

To help people be more aware of tsunamis and their safety measures, governments and NGOs are organizing awareness campaigns as well as interactive sessions in schools and colleges around the country to make people realize how important it is to keep themselves safe. With time ticking down to 2022, we hope that everyone takes part in these awareness drives to ensure a less-than-fatal tsunami next time.

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