Understanding tsunami and

tsunami preparedness
By: amaba, Dava, Palma, Mariposa, bautista
Tsunami: what it is?

 Tsunami is a Japanese word meaning “HARBOR WAVES”. Tsunami

is a series of waves generated by various geological processes.
It is commonly generated by disturbances associated with
shallow earthquakes occurring below or near the ocean floor.
 Remember that tsunamis are regenerated by earthquakes and
tsunami waves are regenerated because of movement of fault
under the sea.
 The increase in wave heights associated or during typhoons or
tropical cyclones are called “storm surges”. Storm surges are
not tsunamis.
Three (3) stages of tsunami are:

 Regeneration
 Propagation
 inundation
Two types of tsunami

 Local tsunamis
 Are confined to coast within a hundred kilometers from one
source. It is usually generated by earthquakes and landslide or
pyroclastic flow.
 Far field or distant tsunami
 Can travel from 1 to 24 hours before reaching the coast of the
nearby countries. This tsunami mainly coming from the countries
bordering pacific ocean like Chile, Alaska in USA and japan.
The Philippines is frequently visited by
tsunamis. On 17 august 1976, a magnitude
7.9 earthquake in moro gulf produced up to
9-meter high tsunamis which devastated the
south west coast of mindanao and left more
than 4,000 people dead, with at least 2,000
people missing. The 15 November 1994
Mindoro earthquake also generated tsunamis
in the Mindoro island that left 49 casualties.
Natural signs of an approaching
tsunami

1. a strong felt earthquake

2. unusual see level change:
sudden seawater retreat or rise
3 unusual rumbling sound of
approaching waves
Tsunami safety and preparedness measures
 Do not stay in low-lying coastal areas after a felt earthquake. Move to
higher grounds immediately.
 If unusual sea conditions like rapid lowering of sea level are observed,
immediately move towards high grounds.
 Never go down the beach to watch for a tsunami. When you see that
wave, you are too close to escape it.
 During the retreaaat of sea level, interesting sights are often
revealed. Fish may be stranded on dry land thereby attracting people
to collect them. Also sandbars and coral flats may be exposed. These
scenes tempt people to flock to the shoreline thereby increasing the
number of people at risk.
Community-based early warning
systems for tsunami
Part of the preparedness of the people in the Philippines is
the program on community based early warning system for
tsunami. Its objective is to conduct community-level
awareness about earthquake and tsunami focused on the
natural signs of an approaching local tsunami, warning and
evacuation procedure.
Pieces of tsunami signage consisting of warning sign,
directional sign, and evacuation site sign can also be put to
orient and guide the community where unsafe and safe areas
are located.
Tsunami information
Advisory (green)
MO TSUNAMI RETREAT
Advisory (yellow)
SEA LEVEL CHANGE MONITORING
Advisory(orange)
MINOR SEA LEVEL DISTURBANCE
Advisory (red)
TSUNAMI WARNING
Treat to the Philippines
A large earthquake is generated but either
1. There is no tsunami generated by this event
OR
2. A tsunami was regenerated but will not
reach the Philippines.
PHILVOCS will monitor sea level changes and
provide updates.
MINOR SEA LEVEL DISTURBANCE IS EXPECTED in
some coastal areas with wave hieghts of less
than on (1) meter above the expected ocean
tides.
DESTRUCTIVE TSUNAMIS ARE REGENERATED
WITH LIFE TREACHETENING WAVE HEIGHTS.
(A destructive tsunami is expected to arrive to
Philippines coastlines with wave heights of
greater than one (1) meter above the expected
ocean tides.)
Recommended action for affected
places
NO EVACUATION NEEDED
The advisory is issued for information purposes
only.
NO EVACUATION ORDER IS IN EFFECT
Public is advised to wait and listen for updates.
People are advised to stay away form the beach
and to not got to the coast.
People whose houses are located very near the
shoreline are advised TO MOVE FARTHER
INLAND.
Owner of boats in harbors, estuaries, or shallow
coastal water of the affected provinces should
secure their boats and move away form the
water fronts.
Boats already a sea are advised to stay offshore
in deep waters until further notified.
Immediately evacuations of social communities
that maybe affected are strongly advised.
Owners of boats in harbors, estuaries, or
shallow coastal waters of the affected provinces
should secure their boats and move away from
the waterfront.
Boats, already at sea are advised to stay
offshore in deep waters until further notified.
HOW TO ORGANIZE AND CONDUCT AN
EARTHQUAKE DRILL IN SCHOOL
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS BEGINS AT
SCHOOL
Earthquake preparedness is important especially in school
children are one of the most vulnerable sectors in the
community. Schools and teachers must educate the students
on what to do before, during and after an earthquake to
essentially protect themselves from anything that may may
cause injuries. The best way to inculcate the proper
procedure on earthquake preparedness to students is to
demonstrate and practice them regularly through the
conduct of earthquake drills.
School watch exercise

 As a preparation, familiar yourself and your

students with your school surroundings. First you
can start by having a class activity wherein you
and your students go around the school premises
to get acquainted with safe spots in the school
campus (open spaces, etc.) and identify unsafe
practices, potential hazards, danger zones at
school, in case of a strong earthquake.
Some possible hazards include:

1. Tall, heavy pieces of furniture that could topple, such as bookcases and
cabinets;
2. Hanging heavy flower pots, celling fans;
3. Glass window panes or walls that could break;
4. Heavy picture frames or mirrors;
5. Latches on cabinets that will not hold the door closed during shaking;
6. Glasss or other breakable objects that are kept on high open shelves;
7. Obstructions such as plant boxes, chairs, benches, bulletin boards, trash cans
that may block exit points and corridors; and
8. Elevated water tanks and electric posts which could topple or get damaged
during strongs shaking.
 Orienting students prior to the drill
What is important to teach them about what to expect during an earthquake. It will also help if there
are video presentations that could be shown to them. In general, it is important to teach the following:
What to teach
You will feel… WEAK OR STRONG SAHKING. During a very strong earthquake, the shaking may start out,
the shaking ay start out gently and then shaking becomes really strong and knock one off his feet.
You may hear… low and loud rumbling noise followed by shaking sounds of cracking and creaking wood,
breaking glass and/or falling objects
You may see…
• Hanging objects like lamps, wall frames swing violently or may even fall down;
• Book shelves, cabinets, tables and chairs may move or be shifted or fall over;
• Window panes may rattle and may even break.

Oriented the students with the what-to-do’s during and where to go after an earthquake
For the actual drill, the following are
the assumptions:
• 1-minute strong shaking signified by 1 minute siren or bell
• Person cannot stand
• Buildings may have been damaged but no collapse
• Possible falling including glass windows
• No immediate assistance will be available for at least
several hours. Self-help and substance is required
• Possible injuries, fear, panic among students and teachers
Phases of an earthquake drill
Phase 1. alarm
-during the drill, the 1-minute alarm indicates earthquake or shaking
Phase 2. response
-while the alarm is on-going, everyone should perform “duck, cover and hold”. Remain in this
position until the “shaking” stops.
Phase 3. evacuation
-as soon as the shaking stops, immediately evacuate the school buildings and proceed to
identified evacuation areas using the pre-determined routes guided by the class marshall or
teacher
Phase 4. assembly
- At the designated evacuation area, students must be grouped together according to the class
where they belong.
Phase 5. head count
- Teachers should check and make sure all students are accounted for.
Phase 6. evaluation
- The over-all coordinator will announce the termination of drill or “All clear”
DESIGNING AN EARTHQUAKE EVACUATION
PLAN FOR A SCHOOL
Earthquake can strike quickly and without warning.
This earthquake evaluation plan prepared ahead
can aid teachers, students and other building
occupants during evacuations procedure. Evacuation
when done properly and systematically can minimize
injuries and panic
 Developing the plan
1. A school earthquake evacuation plan should have provision to utiize all available open spaces
nearset the building that are evaluated as safe from falling debris and other materials that may cause
injuries to srudents.

2. In there sufficient area for all?

a). Measure the total area of open spaces identified as possible temporary evacuation sites;
b). Consider the number of students in each building (morning and afternoon session); and
c). Determine if there is sufficient open for all. Areas to be occupied should be computed
assuming 4 to 5 students would occupy a 1 sq meter space;

3. Identify temporary refuge per class. Designated a specific area for each class as their area of
temporary refuge.

4. Exit points and routes. Once each class has been assigns a specific evacuation site come up with
evacuation procedure using the available map.
5. Finalize the map. Prepare the final evacuation route
6. Disseminate information. Orient all the teachers, school staff and
students about the map. Have copies of the evacuation map posted in very
classroom