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Tsunamis are well established as one of the most powerful and destructive natural disasters.
But have you ever wondered what would happen if you were hit by one of these giant waves?
And whether you’d survive such a catastrophe?
A tsunami can occur after an earthquake, volcanic eruption or a comparable disturbance under
the ocean that is capable of displacing massive volumes of water.
And while the Pacific Ocean’s ‘Ring of Fire’ is considered the most active zone,
tsunamis occur in oceans and large bodies of water all over the world.
It is believed that the earthquake responsible for the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of
2004 released as much energy as 20,000 atomic bombs.
When it's way-out in the deep ocean, a tsunami is barely visible on the water’s surface,
even as it travels great distances at speeds up to 500 miles per hour.
A warning that may indicate the imminent arrival of these killer waves is the sudden receding
of the ocean from the coast.
And while you may be tempted to take a closer look, you should do the exact opposite.
Evacuate the area immediately!
Ideally to higher ground, hills or mountains.
But if there’s not enough time to escape, find a sturdy vertical structure to climb,
and get as high above the approaching water as you can.
As the shock wave approaches land, all that energy transforms the water into a colossal
wall that can reach heights of over 100 feet!
And once it crashes ashore, a tsunami will obliterate everything in its path.
The rapidly rising and turbulent waters smash homes and toss cars around like toys, as additional
waves follow.
The final round of devastation occurs when the massive amount of water reverses course
to return to the sea; Dragging everything in its path along with it and most tragically
sucking people under along the way.
If you are swept up in the current, try to grab onto something that floats, like a door
or a fallen tree and prepare to experience the terror described by some survivors as
being a human pinball battered by debris from all directions.
And with so much destruction, it may be quite some time before help is on the way.
So, it’s always a good idea to be prepared with an evacuation plan for you and your family.
Just in case.