UNESCO warns that Mediterranean cities like Marseille, Istanbul, and Alexandria may face tsunamis, with scientists certain of their predictions. The U.N. expects more cities to be at risk soon. Tsunamis can carry cars, damage power lines, and flood buildings. Other ocean phenomena like killer waves and square waves pose threats too. The Drøgner wave, recorded once at 27 meters, is an example of rare but destructive waves.
Historical tsunamis have had devastating effects, such as the asteroid-induced tsunami that led to an ice age and mass extinctions. Modern tsunamis can be equally destructive; for instance, a mega earthquake in Chile 4,000 years ago caused massive damage.
UNESCO is developing programs to educate people on tsunami warning signs. Tilly Smith, a ten-year-old girl, recognized these signs and saved many lives during the 2004 Indonesia tsunami.
Scientists believe Europe may soon experience a large-scale tsunami due to volcanic activity like Mount Etna's eruptions. Preparing for natural disasters is crucial; Tilly Smith's story highlights the importance of recognizing warning signs and acting quickly.
1. UNESCO warned that large cities on the Mediterranean coast, including Marseille, Istanbul, and Alexandria, are at risk of being hit by a tsunami.
2. The United Nations claims that by next year, the list of cities that can be hit by tsunamis will increase to 40 more cities from 21 countries.
3. A tsunami wave of at least 1.5 meters can carry away cars, damage power lines, and flood the first floors of residential buildings.
4. In 2004, a tsunami hit Thailand, Sri Lanka, Southern India, and Indonesia, claiming the lives of at least 184,000 people.
5. A 10-year-old girl named Tilly Smith predicted the tsunami and warned her family, saving around 100 tourists and resort employees.
6. The USS Ramapo was hit by a wave as high as 34 meters, but the ship remained relatively unscathed and the crew managed to survive.
7. The droughtner wave, also known as the freak wave, can reach heights of over 30 meters and is a rare oceanic phenomenon.
8. The Nazca oceanic plate is slowly descending under the South American continental plate, causing earthquakes and tsunamis to occur repeatedly in Chile.
9. In 1966, a 9.5-magnitude earthquake occurred in Chile, followed by a tsunami that destroyed coastal towns and claimed the lives of 150 people.
10. The 1966 tsunami wave reached California, increasing the number of victims to 6,000.
11. Scientists suggest that a catastrophe like the 1966 tsunami can occur in Chile every 3,500 years.
12. The active volcano Aetna, located on the Italian island of Sicily, is slowly slipping into the Mediterranean Sea and may cause a tsunami.
13. In 1792, Mount Unzen erupted, causing a series of earthquakes and a massive tsunami that claimed the lives of 14,000 people.
14. In 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted, causing a tsunami wave of 250 meters that hit the shore of Spirit Lake.
15. A U.S. Navy officer noticed that small waves appeared on the water after a series of underwater explosions during World War II.
16. The military of the United States and New Zealand began to develop a classified project codenamed "Project Seal" to create a tsunami bomb.
17. In 2018, Russia unveiled plans for a 20- to 100-megaton tsunami bomb called the Poseidon torpedo.
18. The Poseidon torpedo is an unmanned underwater vehicle with a nuclear power plant and nuclear weapons, 24 meters long, and can create a tsunami wave up to 500 meters high.
19. Russia claims to have 34 Poseidon bombs in service with the Northern and Pacific fleets.
20. In 2011, the Great East Japan earthquake hit Fukushima with a tsunami, disabling the power units at the local nuclear power plant and causing widespread destruction.
21. A tsunami wave can reach the shore in just 10 minutes, leaving little time to save oneself.
22. The first thing to do during a tsunami is to get away from the shore and head on foot towards the hills and mountains.
23. If you're trapped and can't get away from the shore, climb a sturdy tree or a palm tree to escape the wave.
24. If you fell into the water during the disaster, climb onto something that floats nearby to stay afloat.
25. A tsunami can leave behind ruins, destroy buildings, infrastructure, and cause problems with water and food supply.