Tsunami Information Sheet

What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is a series of fast, low and long ocean waves, that move out from a central area, due to a sudden disturbance of a large body of water. In the past, tsunami have been known as tidal waves but this is not correct as tsunami are not caused by tides. Tsunami (pronounced soo-nah-mee) is a Japanese word meaning harbour wave. It came from an old story about some Japanese fishermen who, when out in the deep ocean, did not notice a tsunami travelling underneath them. When they arrived back at port they found the harbour destroyed.

What causes a tsunami?

The most common cause of tsunami is large, undersea earthquakes that occur along the boundaries of the Earths tectonic plates. As the plates move, stress slowly builds up over hundreds, or even thousands, of years along geological structures known as faults. During an earthquake the stress along these faults can be released within a matter of seconds. This causes a sudden movement of the sea floor which disturbs the ocean above. The affected ocean then spreads out from the location of the earthquake as a tsunami. Although undersea earthquakes are the most common cause of tsunami, they can also be caused by volcanic eruptions, landslides and even asteroid impact in or near the ocean. Earthquake-generated tsunami

A tsunami can really move!

In the deep ocean a tsunami can travel up to 950km/hr, the speed of an aeroplane and may be less than one metre high. This is why the Japanese fishermen did not notice the tsunami in the deep ocean. Tsunami wavelengths are extremely long with hundreds of kilometres between wave crests in the deep ocean. As tsunami approach the coastline they slow down but do not lose energy. The back of the wave catches up with the front, causing the wave to grow in height up to several metres. It is not so much this movement of water but the energy moving through it that makes tsunami so dangerous.

Prior to an undersea earthquake

Above a undersea picture ofearthquake the lower tectonic plate Prior tois an

dragging against the upper plate, causing stress.

Tsunami waves are different from normal waves

Prior to an undersea earthquake

Tsunami are different from normal waves you see at the beach. With a normal wind swell wave, it is only the water on top of the ocean that is moving. In contrast, the passage of tsunami involves the movement of water all the way to the sea floor.

At the time of an undersea earthquake At the time of an undersea earthquake

After an undersea earthquake After an undersea earthquake

Image courtesy of USGS

After an undersea earthquake

BEWARE: you cannot surf a tsunami!

There is a temporary drop in water level above the fault, as the tsunami spreads outwards across the ocean.

Illustration courtesy of Geoscience Australia

Stress on the tectonic plates causes the upper plate to rebound to its initial position, causing At the time of an undersea earthquake tsunami.

The natural warning signs of tsunami

In Australia you will most likely receive an official tsunami warning. However, before a tsunami arrives you may, but not always, experience some natural warning signs. You may:  FEEL the earth shake. If you are near the ocean and you feel the ground shake, a strong earthquake may have occurred and possibly caused a tsunami. However, you may not feel the earth shake if the earthquake occurred a long way away.  SEE the ocean drop. Before a tsunami arrives, the ocean level may (but not always) drop dramatically before returning as a wall of water. If you notice that the water is disappearing, tell your family and friends and prepare to move to higher ground.  HEAR an unusual roaring sound. If you hear a loud roaring sound from the ocean (a bit like an aeroplane or a train), tell your family and friends. This sound may be heard before a tsunami arrives.

Will tsunami occur in Australia?

While the risk from tsunami is lower in Australia than other parts of the world, tsunami do have an effect on our coastline. Even with relatively small tsunami, there could be strong waves, rips and currents and unusual sea levels that can be dangerous.

English schoolgirl saves 100 lives

In December 2004, 10-year-old English schoolgirl, Tilly Smith, was enjoying a family holiday on the coast of Thailand. On the morning of 26 December, her family were enjoying a walk on the beach when Tilly noticed the ocean drop dramatically. It then returned rapidly covered in froth, which she described as looking like the top of a beer. As the ocean moved quickly towards the beach, Tilly knew a tsunami was approaching having learned about tsunami in a geography lesson a couple of weeks earlier. She raised the alarm and the beach was cleared, saving 100 lives.

On 17 July 2006, campers at Steep Point on the Western Australian coast were lucky to escape when a tsunami hit their campsite. It was strong enough to pick up their 4WD vehicle and move it 10 metres up the beach. They were alerted to the tsunami by a loud roar from the ocean, which is one of the natural warning signs of tsunami. Above is a picture of the damage to their campsite.

Will we get an official warning?

The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre runs 24 hours a day to identify any tsunami threat to Australia. They use sea surface buoys and undersea sensors to measure earthquake activity and the likelihood of a tsunami affecting Australia. In Australia, warnings will be issued through the media, but you should also listen to emergency workers, lifeguards and Surf Lifesavers.

Remember:
Image courtesy of Anders Grawin

I f a tsunami warning is issued you should follow instructions and move inland or to higher ground. A  lways listen to lifeguards, Surf Lifesavers and emergency workers. I f a tsunami warning is issued DO NOT go back to the water until you are told it is safe.

Drawdown of the ocean on this Thailand beach warned of the arrival of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

More information on tsunami is available at www.ema.gov.au

Commonwealth of Australia 2009. This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Attorney-Generals Department, 3-5 National Circuit, Barton, ACT, 2600 or posted at www.ag.gov.au/cca. Disclaimer. The purpose of this Information Sheet is to provide general information and advice. Following the procedures in this Information Sheet will not guarantee protection against the consequences of tsunami or their aftermath. In case of tsunami, you should follow instructions and advice from competent authorities. The Australian Government does not accept any legal liability or responsibility for loss, damage, injury or death arising from, or despite, the use of the information in this Information Sheet. Although all due care has been taken, this Information Sheet may contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors.

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IF YOU HEAR A TSUNAMI WARNING MOVE INLAND OR TO HIGHER GROUND. DO NOT STAY TO WATCH. DO NOT GO BACK TO THE BEACH UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD IT IS SAFE.

Image courtesy of Paul Dickenson