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Actions That Tsunami Vulnerable Countries Need To Take To Remain Prepared For The Next Potential Disaster

The recent eruption of an underwater volcano on Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, an uninhabited volcanic island and the successive tsunami that hit Tonga, was one of the most fierce natural disasters to hit in decades. While the sporadic eruptions began on 20th December 2021, it reached its peak on January 15 this year, when comparatively powerful blasts generated atmospheric shock waves and sonic booms which were detected throughout the globe. While this disastrous event led to catastrophic consequences, such incidents are relatively very common as volcanoes are unstable and unpredictable naturally, and are found throughout the world.

Tsunami
Map indicating the risks of tsunamis around the world

Mentioned here are four steps that vulnerable countries must undertake to mitigate the consequences of tsunamis:

Educating the people to be more resilient in case of a Tsunami:

Education by far is the most effective defence in any situation. In the case of a disaster such as a Tsunami, regardless of the size of the waves or the strength of the seawalls, people are more likely to survive if they know exactly how to react once an alert has been raised. Therefore, the vulnerable countries must create an educated and closely-knit community, that is aware of the reality of their exposure to the risk and accept it as an aspect of their life and culture.

One such education can be conducting focus group meetings with people, businesses and communities. In these focus groups, we can establish designated high ground areas and clear signages directing people to these safe zones. Like the masses undergo regular fire drills to remain prepared for the worst-case scenario in the event of a fire, similarly, evacuation events such as mock tsunami drills should be practiced regularly so that people are familiar with the safe areas and know where to go in case of a real tsunami.

One-third of the population in Tonga is under the age of 15. Therefore, teaching tsunami safety steps can be taught at both the primary and the secondary school levels. Familiarising the young population with natural disasters such as cyclones and earthquakes will create a more resilient and less anxious adult population.

Creating an effective early warning system:

A decrease in ocean water surface levels is an evident sign that a tsunami may hit anytime. Countries vulnerable to such dangers must create early warning systems using technologies such as satellites, drones and tide gauges, to measure the vertical rise or fall of water to identify tsunamis before they actually happen. Furthermore, technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Modelling can be put to use to predict exact timings when a country is likely to be hit by such a disastrous incident.

In light of the current disaster in Tonga, it would also help to place equipment such as conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) instruments, seismometers and thermal cameras close to underwater volcanoes, meanwhile also observing the water activity on the surface with the help of satellites. Buoys with the capability to measure the height and the direction of the waves can also be placed at sea. When water levels are set off, tsunami alert messages are sent out, giving people enough time to move out of the impact zones.

Tsunami Warning
A Tsunami detection buoy (Image Credits: Australasian Science)

Establishing a robust coastal defence plan:

Tsunami vulnerable countries must create a strong coastal defence plan, such as offshore breakwaters, tsunami walls and flood levees. Tsunami waves hit pretty hard, so ideally these foundations will have to be made of reinforced concrete to avoid erosion and damage. Coral reefs can be strengthened with natural solutions such as rock armour or heavy sandbags.

Critical infrastructure like power plants, tourist locations or populated communities should be built on higher grounds and away from the coastline, if possible. A good example of this comes from Miyagi and Iwate prefectures in Japan, which were badly hit by the 2011 Tohoku tsunami (it had caused a nuclear disaster in Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant).

Coastal forests with tall trees can be planted between communities and the beach to act as a buffer zone, thus limiting the impact of the waves and also reducing flooding, while improving the local ecosystem. These defences when placed will surely damage the attractive looks of white sandy beaches that attract tourists, but they could prove to be very helpful in saving lives in case of a tsunami.

Forming a regional approach to Tsunami:

The effects of the underwater volcanic eruption and the subsequent tsunami in Tonga were felt in and around the Pacific. So, the vulnerable countries must implement a regional approach in defending and responding to tsunamis.

Aid must be provided even before Tsunamis hit, not just after. This can be accomplished through sharing data, expertise, research facilities and equipments. It is of utmost importance that these supports and informations are specifically provided to the developing countries to help them strengthen their own defences.

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Image of Tonga volcanic eruption (Image taken by Japanese Satellite)

The underwater volcano near Tonga remains active. And even if see the recent eruption as a one in 1,000-year event, there is still a strong chance that it will erupt again, as the geological deposits show that major eruptions like this one tend to involve a series of multiple individual explosive events.

Countries with a looming threat of tsunamis can’t prevent these natural disasters from taking place. But they can surely better prepare themselves for any such disastrous events in the future. Foreign aid will be vital, for Tonga or any such country hit by a disaster, to recover from the horrific incident. However, education and collaboration will act as their most vital defence in the long run.

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