World Tsunami Awareness Day

World Tsunami Awareness Day History

World Tsunami Awareness Day is an annual observance designed to raise awareness, promote understanding and encourage preparedness for tsunami threats worldwide. Endorsed by the United Nations, the day focuses on sharing knowledge about effective actions, policies and practices to mitigate the potential devastating impacts of tsunamis. Addressing and managing the risks associated with tsunamis is essential to reduce fatalities and promote resilient communities globally.

Initially proposed by Japan in 2015, the history of World Tsunami Awareness Day is rooted in the 1854 Ansei-Nankai earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the coastal regions of Kii Peninsula, Japan. The United Kingdom's engagement in the observance centres on its role in international cooperation, including the provision of scientific support and expertise through organizations such as the British Geological Survey and the National Oceanography Centre. These institutions contribute to the global understanding of tsunami risk, benefit from shared knowledge, and help the UK to be prepared for the remote possibility of a tsunami affecting the British coastline.

In the United Kingdom, World Tsunami Awareness Day is commemorated through a range of activities such as public awareness campaigns, educational workshops, and expert-led discussions. These events are in line with the global aim to increase awareness and preparedness. For instance, the UK has hosted conferences on tsunami risk assessment, early warning systems and evacuation planning. In addition to these observances, the United Kingdom is a participant in the global effort to reduce the loss of lives and economic damage caused by tsunamis, as demonstrated by its endorsement of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. World Tsunami Awareness Day takes place annually on the 5th of November, a date chosen to honour the memory of the aforementioned 1854 Japanese Ansei-Nankai tsunami.

World Tsunami Awareness Day facts

• By 2030, 50% of the world will live in or near coastal areas exposed to flooding, storms, or tsunamis according to the U.N.
• According to Phys.org, so far in 2023, the largest magnitude earthquake measured was a 7.8 Mw earthquake in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
• Tsunamis can travel thousands of kilometers with speeds up to 800 kilometers per hour.
• The largest tsunami to impact the UK was the Storegga Slide event, which occurred around 8,200 years ago. A massive underwater landslide off the coast of Norway triggered a tsunami that flooded parts of Scotland, depositing sediment up to 80 meters above sea level.

In the News and Trending in the UK for World Tsunami Awareness Day

Top things to do in the UK for World Tsunami Awareness Day

• Learn more about tsunamis and how to recognize signs of an approaching one. Learn how to protect yourself at Tsunami Ready.
• Research the types of natural disasters that can occur in your area. Know and understand what to do and have a plan in case of emergency.
• Encourage your children or even adults in the household to create artwork or posters related to tsunami awareness. Display them in your home windows or share them on social media to spread awareness and generate discussions.
• Look for online quizzes or games that test your knowledge of tsunamis. By participating, you can learn more about the topic while having fun with friends or family.