Source
r/AskReddit•
Shocker88

Tsunami's - Why does society have such limited knowledge on them?

The recent earthquake in Chile has reminded me of two key things - the destructive power of the earth and general societies lack of knowledge when it comes to Tsunami's.

My question to you reddit is why does general society know least about Tsunami's when compared with all other natural disasters.

People are headed to the beaches right now; both to look at the phenomenon and to "ride that huge sick wave"...why is it that society does not understand how they work and that they aren't just a much taller wave than normal. Is it a lack of education or is it just a misconception being passed through society?

PS: My heart goes out to all those affected by the recent events in Chile

Posted Feb 28, 2010, 12:15 AM UTC · edited

05
bolopunch•

Apostrophe's - Why must I be such an asshole?

3
borez•

Probably because we don't see that many. Tsunami's seem to be portrayed in Hollywood as a one time wall of water like a normal wave, but very few people realise they last a good few minutes each and there can be multiple instances, they are walls of water that just keep on coming.

Anyone trying to surf one of these things, if it's even possible, seriously needs their head examined.

2
Shocker88OP•

Good point - I get the feeling Hollywood might play a part here. Despite heavy broadcasting of the warnings in Australia this forum topic was a fun read - http://www.burleighcam.com.au/kegtalk/showthread.php?t=4692

Kinda wish it was bigger - could help us clean up the gene pool a bit.

2
borez•

Good lord those people are stupid.

1
[deleted]•

I've seen three tsunamis - the big one, one in Papua the next year and one in Pangandaran a bit later. What is there to know? Earthquake at the surface of a sea floor pushes wave. Disaster education is pretty weak in most areas, but the infrequent most of all.

1