Survive a Tsunami

After a devastating earthquake and tsunami strike Japan, thought of working a little on tsunami.
Firstly warm condolence to the people of Japan and surrounding countries. Pray for there well being.

What is Tsunami?

tsunami is a series of huge waves that come from something happening under the sea that disturbs the water, such as an earthquake or an underwater volcano erupting. The waves travel like ripples on a pond after you have thrown a rock and they can travel very quickly to hit the shore. Anybody who is in the path of a tsunami is in great danger. Here you will learn how to recognize the signs of a tsunami and protect yourself, your family and friends. wikihow.com


Steps to follow:

> Be tsunami aware. Did you know that a ten year old girl, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilly_Smith Tilly Smith], was able to save her family and other people from a tsunami in Thailand because she learned the signs of a tsunami in her geography class? It is important to know what a tsunami is and what it can do so that you can protect yourself and your family and friends. Here are some important things to know about tsunamis:

• Waves in a tsunami travel very quickly; much faster than your car can! They can travel up to 800 km / 500 miles an hour from the depths of the ocean.
  
• Waves from a tsunami can be as high as 30 metres or 100 feet. They grow bigger as they get to the shore. This means that they can start off as just a ripple of water in the middle of the ocean and become bigger and bigger until they become a gigantic wave when they hit the land.
  
• Tsunamis are not "tidal waves"; this is a mistake many people make. Tsunamis are seismic sea waves and have nothing to do with tides.
  

> Learn the warning signs nature provides. If you live next to the sea, how will you know when a tsunami might happen? Nature gives us some very clear warning signs:

• There is an earthquake or the ground rumbles a lot.
  
• The sea suddenly pulls back and leaves bare sand, making the beach seem a lot larger.
  
• Animals may behave strangely - they may suddenly leave, gather in groups, or try to get into places they normally would not go.
  
• Warnings from the media if a tsunami warning system is in place in your country.
  

> Leave the beach or low-lying areas. Whether you are at home, school or playing on the beach, if you see or hear these warning signs, immediately leave and go to higher ground. Sometimes you may also get warnings from your local emergency services - listen to what they have to say and follow their advice. Do not wait for emergency services to give warnings though - tsunamis can hit within minutes of the warning signs, so you should already be leaving. Here are things to do:

• Keep away from the beach. Do not go anywhere near the beach or into buildings near the beach. Even if you see just a small tsunami, leave immediately. Tsunami waves grow bigger and continue to hit, so the next giant wave may be on the way. Generally, if you can see a giant wave, you are too close and it is too late to escape. (However, try to escape anyways if you see one.)
  
• Go to higher ground. Go up a hill or to a higher area of your town or city. If you are trapped, find a high and strong building and climb to the top of it. You may even have to sit on its roof.
  
• Leave your things. Your life is more important than toys, books, school supplies, and other things. Leave them behind and get to safety.
  
• Check for younger children. Help your younger siblings and other younger children to reach higher ground. Even if they are not younger, you can still help them.
  
• Stay away for several hours. A tsunami can continue to hit the shore for many hours, so the danger may not be over for a while. Do not return to the area until you get an "all clear" message from emergency services. If you do not get this message, wait patiently.
  
• Find a radio. If somebody has a radio where you are sheltering, listen to it for updates.
  

> Prepare for a tsunami. If you live in an area that is at risk for a tsunami, it is important to be prepared. If your school does not already have a tsunami emergency plan, ask for one. You can make it a class project. Your school or home emergency plan should cover:

• Where it is safe to go - somewhere that is no more than 15 minutes on foot.
  
• Making a safety pack with supplies to help you survive.
  
• Practicing a tsunami evacuation regularly (a practice drill).
  
• Learning the warning signals and systems that your emergency services use.
  
• Learning basic First Aid and knowing who in your community is a doctor, nurse or health care professional.
  

Basics of Tsunami:

> You pronounce tsunami - "soo-nahm-ee". It is a Japanese word that means "harbour wave".

> If your local community doesn't know what to do during a tsunami, start an awareness campaign to teach the community about the dangers of tsunamis in your area and what to do when one strikes.

> If your local emergency services doesn't have a plan in place for tsunami evacuation, write to the people responsible for running them and ask for one to be made. Offer the help of your school class!

> Aware the people near you.

> listen in your history and geography classes it could save your life.

> Always have a evacuation plan with you.

> Always have emergency food and water.

> Don't try to take everything with you.

> Pray god!