World Tsunami Awareness Day
- April Dykes
- 9 時間前
- 読了時間: 7分
“A tsunami is an ocean wave triggered by large earthquakes that occur near or under the ocean, volcanic eruptions, submarine landslides, or by onshore landslides in which large volumes of debris fall into the water” (USGS). If you live in a maritime country, ‘tsunami’ is a term that you are familiar with.
If you are from a coastal town or a maritime nation that is plagued by earthquakes, it is something that you must be mindful of and prepared for. Today, as we observe World Tsunami Awareness Day, let’s look at the history and ways we can be prepared.
Catalysts for change
As discussed in the Disaster Prevention Day Japan blog, Japan sits along major fault lines, the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line (ISTL) and the Median Tectonic Line (MTL). “Of the 14 or 15 tectonic plates known in the world, four converge on Japan, where over 2000 active faults can be found. According to the 2013 White Paper on Disaster Prevention, issued by the Cabinet, some 20% of earthquakes in the world measuring magnitude 6 or over occur in or around Japan. Further, there are 110 active volcanoes in Japan, accounting for about 7% of such volcanoes in the world” (UTokyo).
Throughout history, catastrophic events have always been the catalyst for change. When Japan experienced the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, it responded by creating Disaster Prevention Day in 1960. The framework for World Tsunami Awareness Day was laid after the tsunami that followed the Great East Japan Earthquake, and it’s date was chosen to honor the legend “Inamura-no-hi”, the burning of the rice sheaves.“
The legend of Inamura-no-hi
Although it is referred to as a legend, it is the true story that took place in present-day Hirogawa, Wakayama. It is the well-known story of Hamaguchi Goryo, the village headman, and how his quick thinking saved the villagers. The following information is from Inamura-no-Hi-no-Yakata Tsunami Educational Center.
On November 5, 1854, Hiro-mura village was struck by an earthquake that resulted in a large tsunami. “At 4:00 in the evening, a huge earthquake incomparable to the one of the previous day occurred. Houses fell down and roof tiles were blown off. People repeatedly heard sounds like the roar of cannons, and dark cirrus clouds rapidly spread. Finally, a huge tsunami rushed toward the village. “Run! Head up the hill! A tsunami is coming!” Swallowed by the waves, goryo frantically yelled at the villagers and urged them to evacuate to Hirohachiman Shrine” (Inamura-no-Hi no Yakata).
As quickly as the tsunami traveled to land, it returned to the sea just as fast. Goryo could see families among the wreckage searching for loved ones, but it was growing dark, and another tsunami could strike. Knowing that the waves could return and that time was of the essence, Goryo decided to create a beacon for the villagers to follow by setting fire to the rice sheaves. The light drew the villagers to Hirohachiman Shrine, and it proved to be a blessing as another tsunami, bigger than before, swept over the village.
Goryo, with the support of the villagers, created an embankment, the Hiromura Embankment, comprised of pine trees and wax trees planted along the seaside. Though its necessity wasn’t seen during Goryo’s lifetime, it protected the village in 1946 when the Showa Nankai Earthquake occurred on December 21st. That very embankment exists today and is still protecting the people of Hirogawa-cho.
If you would like to read the entire legend for yourself, please check out their website here.
The Great East Japan Earthquake
On March 11, 2011, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck the northeast coast of Honshu. This earthquake was the largest magnitude ever recorded in Japan and was the 3rd largest in the world since seismic detectors were created. Within 30 minutes of the Great East Japan Earthquake, a devastating tsunami made its way to shore. “A wave measuring some 33 feet (10 meters) high inundated the coast and flooded parts of the city of Sendai, including its airport and the surrounding countryside…Damaging tsunami waves struck the coasts of Iwate prefecture, just north of Miyagi prefecture, and Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Chiba, the prefectures extending along the Pacific coast south of Miyagi” (Britannica). The waves went beyond Japan, even reaching Hawaii and Antarctica.
The damage done to the nation and its citizens by the earthquake, as well as the subsequent tsunami and nuclear power plant emergency, can’t be measured by polls and statistics alone. Many are still listed as missing, and thousands have lost loved ones. Every coastal prefecture had some sort of tsunami measures, but the nation as a whole decided not to let this catastrophe go unanswered. The result was the creation of the ‘Act on the Promotion of Tsunami Countermeasures’ that was passed on June 24, 2011.
“Article 1
In order to protect the lives, bodies, and properties of citizens from damage caused by tsunamis, this Act clarifies basic understanding in promoting tsunami countermeasures and, at the same time, provides for matters necessary to strengthen tsunami observation systems, promote tsunami-related research studies, implement education and training necessary for tsunami-related disaster risk reduction, and develop facilities for tsunami countermeasures as well as other matters necessary to promote tsunami countermeasures, thereby comprehensively and effectively promoting tsunami countermeasures and, in doing so, contributing to the maintenance of social order and the securing of public welfare” (Act on the Promotion of Tsunami Countermeasures).
You can find the act here: Act on the Promotion of Tsunami Countermeasures.
Creating World Tsunami Awareness Day
From the 2013 Santa Cruz Islands Tsunami to the 2015 Illapel Tsunami, tsunamis continued to occur without an international day that helped spread awareness on tsunami preparedness. At a general assembly in 2015, Japan proposed the creation of World Tsunami Awareness Day, and it was supported by 142 countries. “1. The Government of Japan highly welcomes that the resolution to establish the World Tsunami Awareness Day was adopted by consensus at the Second Committee of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York on December 5 (December 4 local time)” (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan). The resolution, UN General Assembly resolution 70/203, was passed on December 22, 2015. This resolution formally created World Tsunami Awareness Day with the goal of raising awareness about tsunamis and promoting the creation of countermeasures.
“In establishing World Tsunami Day, Yuki Matsuoka, head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, explained, “Rather than selecting a memorial day or a tragic day, such as 11 March or 26 December, 5 November was selected as a ‘forward-looking’ day when many lives were saved due to proactive actions’” (Redwood Coast Tsunami Group). In addition to observing the day, each country has the responsibility to enhance awareness of tsunamis, create early warning systems, and more to ensure that every citizen has the knowledge to protect themselves in the event of a tsunami.
Tsunami Preparedness
According to the Japan Lifesaving Association, here is what you should do in the event of a tsunami:
Obtain a Tsunami hazard map or check the Tsunami signs.
Check the actual evacuation route based on the Tsunami hazard map.
Obtain accurate information on Tsunami warnings and advisories from J-alert, disaster preparedness radio, disaster preparedness e-mail, local radio stations, TV, and the lifesavers’ call.
Things to be aware of when a Tsunami hits:
Where is the evacuation site?
If you are by the sea, check the Tsunami evacuation sites in advance. When a Tsunami hits, there is nothing to do other than to flee to higher ground.
Go to the nearest high ground as soon as possible
If you feel a tremor by the coast, even if it seems slight, do not think that it is not a big deal, but go to the nearest high ground as soon as possible. If there is no high ground, evacuate as far as possible from the shore. If that is difficult, go to a building made of reinforced concrete or steel and go to a higher floor.
Do not get into a car
Walking is the principle. If you are in a car and think you are going to get stuck in a traffic jam, park it on the side of the road with the keys in the ignition, and get out of the car and evacuate. It's not only traffic jams that you need to worry about, but also the fact that it is difficult to open the windows if they are swamped by a Tsunami. The water pressure will prevent the doors from opening. Can you break the window glass and get out? Usually, it will be quite difficult to do so.
When evacuating, stay away from the ocean and rivers
Get away from the ocean and rivers as soon as possible. On November 22, 2016, the day of the Tsunami, there is a video of the Sunaoi River flowing backwards through Tagajo City, Miyagi Prefecture, possibly due to the earthquake. When evacuating, it is extremely dangerous to approach water that is flowing upstream vigorously.
Tsunami Tendenko
It is advised that you “Make your own decisions without waiting for anyone else's instructions, and protect yourself by running to the highest ground as soon as possible, even without worrying about your family” (Japan Lifesaving Association). It may feel wrong to even think about leaving your loved ones behind, so it’s important to have a strategy. “Talk to your loved ones in advance to promise to protect yourself first in case of an emergency, and where to meet each other if the phone is disconnected” (Japan Lifesaving Association).
Preparedness
Natural disasters can occur at any time, and being prepared is essential to ensure your health and well-being, as well as not endangering someone else. Look into your local area's earthquake and tsunami measures, learn evacuation routes, and stay level-headed.
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