Tsunami

Types of Tsunami Announcements

• Major Tsunami Warning with Huge Tsunami (Ou Tsunami Keihou, Kyoudai Tsunami)
  • Indicates the class of tsunami seen in 2011 in the Great East Japan Earthquake, which in some places exceeded 30m.
• Major Tsunami Warning (Ou Tsunami Keihou)
  • Warns of tsunami of height 3m or more.
• Tsunami Warning (Tsunami Keihou)
  • Warns of tsunami of height 1m to 3m.
• Tsunami Advisory (Tsunami Chuuihou)
  • Warns of tsunami of height 0.2m to 1m.
  • If you are at the beach, immediately get out of the water and evacuate to higher ground.

When you are alerted to a tsunami warning...

... on land

• Immediately evacuate to a tsunami evacuation area/building.
• Be aware of 2nd wave, stay there until the warnings are lifted.

... on board a ship or boat in or near a port

• Dock at the wharf/pier, immediately evacuate to a higher ground/tsunami evacuation area.
• Follow the directions of the Japan Coast Guard if available..

... on board a ship or boat when near a coastal area

• Escape offshore as far as possible.
• Follow the directions of the Japan Coast Guard if available.

Tsunami Evacuation areas

OIST Main Campus

The OIST main campus is located more than 50m above sea level. You stay here in case Major Tsunami Warning with Huge Tsunami was issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency.

OIST Seaside Campus (Seaside House and Seaside Faculty Housing)

If Major Tsunami Warning (Ou Tsunami Keihou) is issued:

• Protect yourself. Shelter under a table/desk if tremors occur.
• Do not rush outside.
• After tremors have subsided, turn off the gas, switch off the power, if used.
• Obtain information from TV, radio, internet about the tsunami.
• If a major tsunami warning with huge tsunami height is issued, evacuate to the building of the Onna Sub Base ASDF.
  Do not use a car because the roads will be congested with traffic.
  Do not return until the warning is lifted.
  (If you have directions at the base by the Commander, follow it.)

OIST Marine Science Station at Seragaki

If Major Tsunami Warning (Ou Tsunami Keihou) is issued, follow the map below:

Evacuating from Your Home

Be prepared.

• Know the tsunami evacuation areas near your house.
• Know the meaning of sign boards.
  
• Study the hazard map for your area.
• Know the sea level of the evacuation area (more than 30m above sea level is preferable).
• Walk to the tsunami evacuation area and know the time needed to arrive there from your house. (The Japan Meteorological Agency announces the estimated time of tsunami arrival to your town, so you need to know how long it takes to evacuate.)

Find Your Sea Level and Hazard Maps

Download full slideshow for more detailed information

For more information and background about Earthquake and Tsunami, download the complete 2018/04/04 presentation "Response to Earthquake and Tsunami" (PDF, 5MB)