Tsunami is a series of very long waves generated by any rapid, large scale disturbance of the sea or by sea floor displacements from large undersea earthquakes. Thus tsunami is defined as a large destructive ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake or some other movement of the earth’s surface or some geologic processes like undersea landslide or volcanic eruption.
Tsunamis can cause great destruction and loss of life within a minute on shores near their source. They are capable of obliterating coastal settlements, and may cause severe coastal flooding and ecological disruption of coastal areas. It is very hard to escape violent disasters caused by tsunami.
But it is very important to create public awareness, improved tsunami detection, mitigation and warning system for avoiding huge loss of life and property. Experts have suggested the following steps: i. Preservation of coral reef and natural mangrove forests; ii. Afforestation in coastal areas; iii. To keep a pollution free sea; iv. Stop excessive fishing and introduce modern sustainable fish catching methods; v. Public dwellings should be kept at least 500 meters away from a seashore, coastal embankment etc.