{"id":495,"date":"2026-04-10T16:05:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T20:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/thedisasterlab\/?p=495"},"modified":"2026-04-13T16:17:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T20:17:08","slug":"before-the-wave-arrives-disaster-risk-reduction-and-tsunami-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/thedisasterlab\/2026\/before-the-wave-arrives-disaster-risk-reduction-and-tsunami-events\/","title":{"rendered":"Before the Wave Arrives: Disaster Risk Reduction and Tsunami Events"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Before the Wave Arrives: Disaster Risk Reduction and Tsunami Events \n <\/h1>\n \n \n <\/header>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
\"Shutterstock\/The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During the summer of 2023, I spent my school break as a Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Facility SPC Intern at the University of the West Indies\u2019 Disaster Risk Reduction Centre<\/a>. Although my coursework as a geography major had introduced me to natural hazards and climate change, this internship was my first interaction with the concept and practice of disaster risk reduction (DRR).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At its core, disaster risk reduction refers to policies, and strategies aimed at preventing new disaster risk, reducing existing risk, and managing residual risk that cannot be completely avoided [1]. In practice, DRR encompasses a wide range of measures, including planned relocations, the development of proactive infrastructure such as flood defenses, and disaster education and awareness programs [2].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two years later, I found myself engaging with this concept once again through my research at the Disaster Lab on tsunami-related research. Across the literature I reviewed, one pattern emerged: DRR strategies are instrumental in reducing fatalities during tsunami events. Drawing on the case studies examined, this article highlights how DRR strategies, particularly early warnings, tsunami awareness, and evacuation practices, influence evacuation outcomes and human impacts during tsunami events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early Warning Systems<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"From<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Early warning systems<\/a> are often the first opportunity for coastal populations to take protective action during a tsunami. By providing advance notice of tsunami waves, these systems allow residents to evacuate before waves arrive, reducing the risk of injury and loss of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was evident through the effectiveness of timely warnings following the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake<\/a> in Japan, a compound disaster involving earthquake damage, landslides, fires and tsunami impacts. Of the 241 recorded fatalities, only two deaths were directly attributed to the tsunami, while the majority resulted from the earthquake, landslides and other related hazards. Research suggests that the prompt dissemination of a major tsunami warnings issued shortly after the earthquake played an important role in enabling residents to evacuate quickly to safer locations, thereby limiting tsunami-related fatalities [3].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar pattern was observed in Tonga prior to the Hunga Tonga\u2013Hunga Ha\u02bbapai volcanic eruption<\/a>. On January 14, 2022, unusual ocean behaviour detected by tide gauges in Nuku\u02bbalofa prompted the Tonga Meteorological Service to issue a marine tsunami warning. Although the advisory was later cancelled, the warning increased community vigilance along the coast. When the actual tsunami arrived the following day, many residents were already alerted to changing sea conditions and evacuated quickly [4]. While Tonga\u2019s coastal population is far smaller and less densely populated than that of Japan, the event nonetheless illustrates how early warnings and public responsiveness can reduce tsunami-related mortality even during rapidly evolving hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These cases suggest that timely and well-understood early warnings can support prompt evacuation and help reduce tsunami-related fatalities, particularly within the context of complex and fast-onset hazard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tsunami Awareness and Environmental Cues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While early warning systems rely on technology and institutional monitoring, tsunami survival does not depend on technology alone. In many cases, individuals must assess risk and decide to evacuate even when formal warnings are delayed, cancelled, or unavailable. In this context, tsunami awareness and the ability to recognise environmental warning signs become critically important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tsunami awareness plays a key role in enabling residents to evacuate independently. When coastal communities are familiar with tsunami risks and warning signs, individuals are more likely to act quickly and move to safer areas without waiting for official instruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across several tsunami events examined during this research, environmental cues served as decisive triggers for evacuation. During the Hunga Tonga\u2013Hunga Ha\u02bbapai eruption, the arrival of moderate tsunami waves prompted residents to evacuate after the earlier warning had been cancelled [4]. In nearby Aotearoa New Zealand, mariners observed rough seas and submerged boats associated with tsunami waves generated by the same eruption, leading them to flee to higher ground [5].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar behavior was documented during the 2018 Sunda Strait tsunami<\/a> between the major islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia, where residents reported hearing unusual sounds from the ocean and observing the arrival of the initial wave, prompting immediate evacuation [6]. In contrast, the 2018 Sulawesi tsunami<\/a>, on the Northern peninsula of Minahasa in Indonesia, highlights the consequences of disrupted communication and limited awareness. Power outages following the earthquake meant that many residents did not receive evacuation alerts, contributing to a high death toll of approximately 4,340 fatalities and more than 10,000 injuries [7].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These cases highlight a simple but powerful pattern: when people know what warning signs to look for, they do not always need to rely on official systems to take life-saving action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tsunami Awareness Activities and Evacuation Drills<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"World<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While individual awareness is essential, it is often strengthened through organised education and preparedness efforts. Tsunami awareness campaigns and evacuation drills help transform knowledge into action by familiarising communities with evacuation routes and appropriate responses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Ishikawa Prefecture off the Sea of Japan, evacuation drills conducted twice annually were identified as an important factor in reducing fatalities during tsunami events. Regular drills ensured that residents were familiar with evacuation procedures and could act quickly and efficiently when warnings were issued [3].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, prior to the Hunga Tonga\u2013Hunga Ha\u02bbapai tsunami, Samoa and Tonga had engaged in tsunami outreach and education initiatives since the 2009 Samoa\u2013Tonga tsunami. Just two months before the event, World Tsunami Awareness Day<\/a> was commemorated through a range of community-based activities which included tsunami themed art and poetry competitions in schools, informative discussions broadcasted on radio and tsunami-focused prayers and preparedness announcements during church services. Research notes that these ongoing efforts played a significant role in reducing casualties by improving public understanding of tsunami behaviour and appropriate responses [4].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These examples demonstrate how repeated education and practice can reinforce awareness and support effective evacuation during tsunami events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, the tsunami case studies reviewed in this article demonstrate the critical role of DRR in influencing evacuation outcomes and human impact during tsunami events. Early warning systems, public awareness, recognition of environmental cues, and regular evacuation each support timely and effective evocation, contributing to reduced fatalities. While no single strategy is sufficient on its own, these findings highlight the importance of multifaceted and well-implemented DRR approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Abraham Alexander<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[1] United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). Disaster Risk Reduction Terminology<\/em>. https:\/\/www.undrr.org\/terminology\/disaster-risk-reduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2] Prevention Web. Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Risk Management: Key Concepts. https:\/\/www.preventionweb.net\/understanding-disaster-risk\/key-concepts\/disaster-risk-reduction-disaster-risk-management<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3] Suppasri, A., Kitamura, M., Alexander, D., Seto, S., & Imamura, F. (2024). The 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake: Preliminary Observations and Lessons to be Learned. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction<\/em>, 110<\/em>. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijdrr.2024.104611<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 [4] Borrero, J. C., Cronin, S. J., Latu\u2019ila, F. H., Tukuafu, P., Heni, N., Tupou, A. M., Kula, T., Fa\u2019anunu, O., Bosserelle, C., Lane, E., Lynett, P., & Kong, L. (2022). Tsunami Runup and Inundation in Tonga from the January 2022 Eruption of Hunga Volcano. Pure and Applied Geophysics<\/em>. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00024-022-03215-5<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5] Harrison, S. E., Lawson, R. V., Kaiser, L., Potter, S. H., & Johnston, D. (2025). Understanding mariners\u2019 tsunami information needs and decision-making contexts: A post-event case study of the 2022 Tonga eruption and tsunami. IScience<\/em>, 28<\/em>(2), 111801. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.isci.2025.111801<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6] Takabatake, T., Shibayama, T., Esteban, M., Achiari, H., Nurisman, N., Gelfi, M., Tarigan, T. A., Kencana, E. R., Fauzi, M. A. R., Panalaran, S., Harnantyari, A. S., & Kyaw, T. O. (2019). Field survey and evacuation behaviour during the 2018 Sunda Strait tsunami. Coastal Engineering Journal<\/em>, 61<\/em>(4), 423\u2013443. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/21664250.2019.1647963<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7] Harnantyari, A. S., Takabatake, T., Esteban, M., Valenzuela, P., Nishida, Y., Shibayama, T., Achiari, H., Rusli, Marzuki, A. G., Marzuki, M. F. H., Ar\u00e1nguiz, R., & Kyaw, T. O. (2020). Tsunami awareness and evacuation behaviour during the 2018 Sulawesi Earthquake tsunami. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction<\/em>, 43<\/em>, 101389. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijdrr.2019.101389<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

During the summer of 2023, I spent my school break as a Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Facility SPC Intern at the University of the West Indies\u2019 Disaster Risk Reduction Centre. Although my coursework as a geography major had introduced me to natural hazards and climate change, this internship was my first interaction with the concept and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":363,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":"news-3"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/thedisasterlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/thedisasterlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/thedisasterlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/thedisasterlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/363"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/thedisasterlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=495"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/thedisasterlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/495\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":510,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/thedisasterlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/495\/revisions\/510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/thedisasterlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/thedisasterlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/thedisasterlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}