World Tsunami Awareness Day is an international observance aimed at raising awareness about the devastating impacts that tsunamis can cause and enhancing community preparedness for such disasters. The United Nations General Assembly has designated November 5 as this day. It seeks to promote the sharing of innovative approaches to disaster risk reduction, educate the public on tsunami hazards, and foster a global culture of preparedness.

History

World Tsunami Awareness Day was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The concept of the day is rooted in Japan, which, through historical experience with tsunamis, has developed expertise in early warning systems, post-disaster reconstruction, and public information dissemination. Historically, the tsunami that struck Hiro-mura village on November 5, 1854, and the preventive measures taken by Hamaguchi Goryo to protect his village, serve as inspiration for this observance. More recently, the December 26, 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami resulted in approximately 230,000 deaths and affected 14 countries, marking it as the deadliest tsunami of the 21st century. On a global scale, disaster risk reduction frameworks such as the 2005 Hyogo Framework for Action and the 2015 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction have been adopted to reduce disaster risks and enhance tsunami preparedness.

Objectives and Significance

World Tsunami Awareness Day is celebrated to foster awareness of tsunami risks, ensure communities are prepared for disasters, and enhance their resilience. The observance emphasizes the effectiveness of preparedness mechanisms such as early warning systems and evacuation routes and promotes tsunami education among youth through schools and educational programs. Although tsunamis are rare, they are extremely destructive, with coastal communities—particularly low-lying and densely populated areas—being most vulnerable. Therefore, international cooperation is essential for raising policy and public awareness on tsunamis and other coastal hazards and for mitigating associated risks. This awareness is critical to reducing loss of life and property and for applying lessons learned from past tsunamis to minimize the impacts of future events.

^{Tsunami Disaster (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Tsunamis and Causes

Tsunamis are massive waves generated by sudden movements of water in oceans or seas. They are generally caused by earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and, in rare cases, extraterrestrial impacts. Earthquakes along tectonic plate boundaries, particularly shallow and vertical movements, can trigger tsunamis. Coastal or underwater landslides displace large volumes of water, generating waves, while violent volcanic eruptions can also create destructive tsunamis through sudden water displacement. Asteroid or meteor impacts, though rare, can produce tsunamis. When tsunamis reach the coast, the first wave may not always be the largest, and subsequent waves can be more destructive. Natural warning signs, such as the recession of the sea and ground tremors, may precede the arrival of the waves.

Global Practices and Measures

Worldwide initiatives are implemented to reduce tsunami risk and raise awareness. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) promotes tsunami preparedness through the #GetToHighGround campaign, encouraging participation in evacuation drills, walks, and runs. In the United States, the National Weather Service and the National Tsunami Warning Center inform coastal communities through alerts and monitoring systems. The TsunamiReady® program supports communities in preparedness through risk assessment, planning, and education. The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) collects historical tsunami and sea-level data, making them accessible to the public, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of early warning systems. Globally, the transboundary nature of tsunamis and the density of coastal populations necessitate international cooperation and widespread awareness.

Practices and Activities in Türkiye

In Türkiye, World Tsunami Awareness Day is commemorated through conferences organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality with the participation of experts. Specialists from institutions such as Boğaziçi University Kandilli Observatory, Middle East Technical University’s Civil Engineering Department, and Kagawa University in Japan provide information on tsunami risks, early warning systems, and preventive measures. Online training and simulation games are also employed to raise tsunami awareness among youth and educational institutions.

Importance and Future Generations

World Tsunami Awareness Day ensures that lessons from past tsunamis are passed on to future generations. Information obtained from major disasters, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, is utilized to enhance preparedness among children and young people. Developed early warning systems, evacuation plans, and educational programs aim to minimize the destructive effects of future tsunamis. The day is recognized as a comprehensive initiative to promote awareness globally and locally, strengthening community resilience against tsunami risks.