Tsunamis can be deadly, but they needn’t be. Early warning and early action are effective tools to protect people, saving lives, and preventing the hazard from becoming a disaster. To be effective, tsunami early-warning systems must cover every at-risk person, they must be multi-hazard, and communities must be prepared so they can act quickly.

WTAD news and publications

News

World Tsunami Awareness Day
Statements and messages

UNDRR chief marks World Tsunami Awareness Day

The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction's message on World Tsunami Awareness Day
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
Update

United Nations, the Japan government, and PNG government collaborate to improve tsunami and multi-hazard preparedness plans for COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges to disaster risk reduction, disaster response and planning for safe evacuation from disaster events - including tsunamis. World Tsunami Day promotes a global culture for tsunami preparedness and response.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
The impact of the tsunami that occurred along the Palu bay, Indonesia (2018)
Statements and messages

Message of the Secretary-General for the World Tsunami Awareness Day 2021

On World Tsunami Awareness Day, we call on countries, international bodies, and civil society to increase understanding about the threat and share innovative approaches to reduce risks.
United Nations - Headquarters
Three girls walking on the site of the 2004 Indonesia tsunami
Statements and messages

Message of Mami Mizutori for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2021

However rare they might be, tsunamis are the single most deadly of all sudden onset natural hazards. Millions of people live and work in tsunami-exposed communities across the world’s oceans.
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
mangrove trees that were hit by the Tsunami several years ago on a beach in the Aceh Indonesia
Feature

In the aftermath of a tsunami, mangrove forests in Indonesia protect lives and livelihoods

In the wake of the 2004 tsunami, coastal forests helped dampen damage from the tsunami. Building on this, an Indonesian NGO called 'Yagasu' are using mangroves to bolster ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction, improve local livelihood, and aid in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Asia and Pacific
Aerial view of Vancouver Island, Canada
Update

Indigenous knowledge the cornerstone of new tsunami modelling for Vancouver Island's northwest coast

An oral history of tsunamis from the First Nations complements computer modelling for tsunami risk in Vancouver Island.
CBC/Radio-Canada
Tsunami warning sign on a beach
Update

About tsunami and the role of warning systems

Due to the rapid progress and great danger of tsunami disasters, many countries have introduced tsunami warning systems. Their role is to provide as accurate and timely information as possible about the threat.
Telegrafia
Aerial view of Kaikoura township
Research briefs

Pre-Kaikoura survey found gaps in Kiwis' tsunami awareness

A survey conducted on the North Island's east coast in 2015 found that despite a high level of public awareness of tsunami hazard, there was still plenty of room for improvement in public evacuation intention.
PhysOrg, Omicron Technology Ltd
Forecast graphs
Research briefs

UConn researcher develops novel storm damage prediction model

Wei Zhang used GIS and statistical data to construct a novel model of tsunami damage in Fairfield, CT. The model can easily transfer to other storm types and communities.
University of Connecticut
Impact of the 2011 tsunami in Japan
Research briefs

Geologists look to past for answers on future tsunami threats

Documenting and examining recent events does not provide enough information to fully characterize coastal hazards
Virginia Tech

Publications

No results found!

Is this page useful?

Yes No
Report an issue on this page

Thank you. If you have 2 minutes, we would benefit from additional feedback (link opens in a new window).