How can the tsunami danger
be reduced?
This lesson we’ll see that although it’s
impossible to stop earthquakes and tsunamis
happening, good preparation and planning
can help save lives and reduce damage to
property.
It is impossible to prevent earthquakes and tsunamis from
happening but there is much that can be done to reduce the
damage caused by them. Hawaii, for example, was hit by
tsunamis in 1946 and 1964 following earthquakes in Chile
and Alaska. In both cases, fewer than 100 people lost their
lives and damage was small. This was due mainly to good
preparation and an efficient early warning system.
Measures to reduce the effects of natural disasters such as
earthquakes and tsunamis are usually in two parts. The first
is to predict where and when the event will happen. The
second is to prepare local people and the emergency
services for the disaster.
1. Write down three signs that an earthquake may be about
to happen.
2a. How could a tsunami early warning system save lives?
b. Would early warning always save lives? Give reasons for
your answer.
3. List the different ways that could be used to inform people
about earthquakes and tsunamis.
4. Write out the sentence beginnings in the drawing.
Complete them with the correct endings from the list.