Signs of a tsunami

•Step 1
Beware of earthquakes if you are in an area near the ocean. A tsunami is the displacement of massive amounts of water, often caused by an earthquake below - or near - the sea. Pay attention to the news, not just in your area but worldwide. Earthquakes thousands of miles away can cause a potentially deadly tsunami at your location.

•Step 2
Listen. Many survivors have repeated that tsunamis make a sound, similar to a freight train, upon their approach.

•Step 3
Watch. If there is a noticeable and rapid fall in the water and it's not time for low tide, head inland immediately. Think of how waves work: water first pulls back, then returns with force. An excessive or unusual retreat of water in the ocean is the biggest indication of a tsunami. Many people died in the Indian Ocean tsunami because they went to observe the bare sea floor after the ocean retreated.

•Step 4
Stay away. The first wave of a tsunami is not always the most dangerous, so keep away until reputable authorities give the all clear. Do not assume that because a tsunami is small in one place it will be the same size at all locations, as the waves vary. And don't assume that you're automatically safe inland: tsunamis can travel up rivers and streams that connect to the ocean. Stay away from all bodies of water until an all clear is given.

•Step 5
Trust your gut. If the water doesn't feel or look right to you, even without feeling an earthquake, head inland. There may be as little as five minutes from the first warning sign of a tsunami to its actual hit. If you do feel an earthquake, do not wait for an official warning as authorities may have no time to issue one.



Read more: How to Spot The Warning Signs of a Tsunami | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5474109_spot-warning-signs-tsunami.html#ixzz0rhu1diI8