Tsunami Hazard Mapping in Developing Countries

Material Information

Title:
Tsunami Hazard Mapping in Developing Countries An effective way of raising awareness for tsunami disaster risk reduction
Series Title:
Technical note of PWRI
Creator:
Tanaka, Shigenobu
Istiyanto, Dinar Catur
Disaster Risk Reduction Program, Florida International University (DRR/FIU) ( summary contributor )
Place of Publication:
Tsukuba
Publisher:
International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management under the auspices of UNESCO
Publication Date:
Copyright Date:
2010
Language:
English

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Tsunamis ( lcsh )
Natural hazards and disasters ( lcshac )
Genre:
governmental publication ( marcgt )
non-fiction ( marcgt )

Notes

Summary:
This technical note outlines the critical importance of enhancing public awareness about tsunamis through the effective use of tsunami hazard mapping (THM). The note discusses the major characteristics of tsunami disasters in developing countries, examines tsunami countermeasures, and underlines the role of THM for sustainable disaster risk reduction (DRR) related to tsunamis. The 26 December 2003 Indian Ocean Tsunami that caused nearly 230,000 casualties serves as a central event and impetus for the establishment of this technical note and its emphasis on increasing public awareness of tsunami risks. The document goes on to outline various social and topographical conditions that influence the impact that tsunamis have on developing countries, including whether an area is urban, agricultural, touristic, an island, a river flood plain, head of a bay, a low and flat coastal area, a harbor, or fishery port. In line with these different social and topographical characteristics, the note makes suggestions on comprehensive structural countermeasures for tsunami DRR. In the following section, the note deals with non-structural countermeasures in which public awareness plays a central role. The study urges policymakers and stakeholders to move from a reactive (post-disaster response) to proactive (preparedness-mitigation centered) paradigm when dealing with tsunami risks. Since tsunamis occur rarely but with highly hazardous consequences, it is vital to establish sustainable tsunami DRR measures. The PWRI technical note on THM in developing countries contends that five issues deserve significant attention in the realm of tsunami DRR: (i) intensive and extensive tsunami mitigation efforts, (ii) precise knowledge on the danger of tsunami hazard, (ii) immediate evacuation as a priority response, (iii) assets and life protection, and (v) public participation and awareness. In the last part, the note examines the Japan Tsunami Hazard Map Manual as a reference for THM in developing countries. In doing so, the study also covers issues in relation to the effective adoption of the Japan THM in these countries. ( English )
Subject:
Risk Identification ( English )
Citation/Reference:
Tanaka, S., Istiyanto D.C. (2010). Tsunami hazard mapping in developing countries: an effective way of raising awareness for tsunami disaster risk reduction. International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM), Public Works Research Institute (PWRI), & the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Record Information

Source Institution:
Florida International University
Rights Management:
Refer to main document/publisher for use rights.
Resource Identifier:
FI13042404

dpSobek Membership

Aggregations:
Disaster Risk Reduction