Tsunamis are most often the after-effect of an earthquake where large waves as high as 100 feet build up and overflow onto land. Volcanoes, landslides, and meteorites can also cause tsunamis, but those aren’t as common. All coastal areas are at risk for a tsunami, so if you live near the coast it’s important that you pay attention to tsunami warnings especially after a strong earthquake.
In addition to a risk of drowning and property damage, a tsunami can contaminate water, create fires and cause explosions (as seen in the section where we discussed radiation poisoning,) and reduce power in affected areas.
If you’re on the coast, the first thing you’ll notice is a sudden recession of water. It may be spectacular to look at, but you should think of it as a warning sign that a tsunami is going to occur and proceed to higher ground immediately. Try to get at least two miles away to a higher elevation, but if you don’t have enough time to travel that far, then get as far away as you can.