The Pillowcase Project Learn. Practice. Share.

The Pillowcase Project Learn. Practice. Share. PART 6: LOCAL HAZARD SUPPLEMENT (10 MINUTES) Tsunami Preparedness Learning Objectives Students will be able to explain what causes tsunamis and what happens during a tsunami. Students will understand what to do during a tsunami WATCH and a tsunami WARNING. Students will learn how to recognize a tsunami and the best ways to stay safe when one occurs. Key Facts for Presenters Tsunamis are large, destructive waves caused by undersea earthquakes, or sometimes by undersea volcano eruptions or large landslides into ocean waters. Tsunamis are most common along the Pacific Ocean, which is the most geologically active region of the Earth, but they can occur in any ocean waters. Tsunamis move through open ocean waters at up to 450 miles per hour but slow down greatly and become much taller as they reach shore, producing waves more than 50 feet high. Local topography can focus the tsunami, causing inundation at much higher levels and extending miles inland. A tsunami can batter the coastline for more than an hour. Tsunamis can strike within minutes of a nearby earthquake or hours after an earthquake that may be thousands of miles away. Natural signs are usually our only warning of a tsunami coming from close by. Any coastal earthquake that lasts longer than 20 seconds should be considered the warning sign of a tsunami. Immediately Drop, Cover, and Hold On to protect yourself from the earthquake. Then, once the shaking stops, move as quickly as possible away from the coastline to higher ground. Official warning systems usually alert us to tsunamis coming from far away. Scientists monitor geological activity in the Pacific for signs of a tsunami and issue a tsunami WATCH when they detect an earthquake that could generate a tsunami. They issue a tsunami WARNING when tide-gauge data indicate that a tsunami has been generated by the earthquake. Both WATCH and WARNING announcements include predicted tsunami arrival times for coastal communities that are at risk. Families who live near a coastline should find out their home s height above sea level and distance from the shore, because scientists use these measurements to identify areas at risk when they issue a tsunami WATCH or WARNING. During a tsunami WATCH, families should listen for news about the situation and prepare to evacuate. During a tsunami WARNING, families who live within the risk zone should evacuate immediately as far inland as possible at least 2 miles from the coastline and 100 feet above sea level. Families should plan ahead to reach this safe location on foot within 15 minutes. A sudden change of water level can also be a sign that a tsunami is coming from far away. If you see either a sudden fall in the water level that exposes the seafloor or a sudden rise in the water level that covers the shoreline, immediately move as quickly as possible away from the coastline to higher ground. Never attempt to observe a tsunami. If you can see the waves, you are too close for safety. Continue moving farther inland to higher ground. 1

PRESENTER NOTES SCRIPT ÎÎCan anyone tell us what is a tsunami? Explain what a tsunami is: ÎÎIn the movies, they sometimes make a tsunami look like one gigantic wave that comes crashing onto the shore. But a tsunami is really a series of very big, very powerful waves that roll past the shore and keep coming for as long as an hour, flooding everything for miles and miles. ÎÎDoes anyone know what causes a tsunami? Explain how a tsunami is formed: ÎÎMost tsunamis are caused by an earthquake under the ocean, although they can also be caused by a volcano erupting under the ocean or a big landslide into the ocean. ÎÎWhat happens is, the earthquake gives the ocean water a big push from underneath, and that push turns into a wave that ripples through the ocean until it ends up crashing onto the shore. ÎÎTsunamis travel fast out in the ocean around 450 miles per hour (almost as fast as an airplane) so they can hit just a few minutes after an earthquake that is close by. But tsunamis also travel very far across the ocean, so that a tsunami in one place might be caused by an earthquake that is actually thousands of miles away. ÎÎOnce the tsunami gets near the coastline, it starts to slow down and get taller. By the time it hits the shore, the waves can be more than 50 feet high. And remember, a tsunami is not just one wave it s a series of waves that can last for more than an hour, and it can cause flooding for miles beyond the shore. ÎÎWhy do people in our area need to be prepared for tsunamis? Explain how to be prepared for a tsunami: ÎÎThat s right! Anyone who lives close to the ocean needs to be prepared for a tsunami. And anyone who comes to the ocean for a vacation or a day at the beach should learn how to be prepared for a tsunami, too. ÎÎIn the United States, most tsunamis happen along the Pacific coast. That s because there are more earthquakes and volcanoes under the Pacific Ocean than in any other part of the world. Î Î Scientists track every earthquake under the Pacific to find out if it might cause a tsunami. Whenever there is a big earthquake, they issue a tsunami WATCH, telling people where the tsunami might hit and when it could arrive. During a tsunami WATCH, you should listen to the news so you know what s happening and get ready to leave home for higher ground if a tsunami is headed your way. 2

ÎÎWhen scientists see that the earthquake has created one of those fast-moving waves out in the ocean, they issue a tsunami WARNING, telling people where the tsunami will hit and how soon it will arrive. If you live in that danger zone, you should leave home immediately when you hear a tsunami WARNING and move away from the coast as fast and as far as possible at least 2 miles in less than 15 minutes, if you can. ÎÎYou can be extra prepared for a tsunami by finding out how high above sea level and how far from the shore you live. Scientists use these measurements to tell people where a tsunami might hit for example, they might say that people who live less than 2 miles from the coastline or less than 100 feet above sea level should leave home to avoid a tsunami. When you hear that, if you know that your home is 5 miles from the coastline, you ll know that you are safe. If students have already learned about earthquake preparedness, call on a volunteer to demonstrate Drop, Cover, and Hold On, or have the whole group demonstrate at their desks. Explain how to anticipate a tsunami caused by a nearby earthquake: ÎÎEven though scientists are always on the lookout for tsunamis, we need to be on the lookout, too. Remember how I told you that a tsunami can hit just a few minutes after a nearby earthquake? That s not enough time for scientists to put out a tsunami WARNING. So if you re near the ocean and feel an earthquake that lasts longer than 20 seconds, you should expect that a tsunami is on the way. ÎÎWhat do you think you should do? Explain how to stay safe during a tsunami caused by a nearby earthquake: ÎÎVery smart! This is a double-emergency situation. First you have to protect yourself from the earthquake. To do that, you should Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Demonstrate how to avoid injury during an earthquake: ÎÎDROP down to the floor wherever you are. When the ground is shaking, it s dangerous to try to walk or run you could fall and hurt yourself. It s safer to DROP onto the floor right where you are. ÎÎThen crawl under the nearest COVER you can see a table or a chair or under a bed anything that will protect you from the stuff that gets shaken loose by an earthquake. ÎÎAnd once you re under your cover, HOLD ON to it. Everything shakes in an earthquake, and your cover might start moving away from you, but if you hold on, you ll stay under your cover no matter where it goes. Explain how to avoid injury from an approaching tsunami: Î Î So, you Drop, Cover, and Hold On to get through the earthquake emergency. Then, after the shaking stops, get away from the coastline as fast as you can to get out of the way of the tsunami. Just head for higher ground and keep going as far as you can. Don t stop to try and watch the tsunami if you can see the waves, you re still too close. Keep heading for higher ground. 3

PRESENTER NOTES SCRIPT ÎÎNow, what about those tsunamis that are caused by earthquakes far away? How do we know when they re coming? Explain how to anticipate a tsunami caused by a distant earthquake: ÎÎThat s right! Scientists usually warn us about tsunamis that come from far away. But you can be on the lookout, too. If you see the ocean pull way back from the shore, exposing the seafloor, that s a sign that a tsunami might be on the way. Or if you see the ocean suddenly come up farther onto the beach, so that it looks like the beach is getting smaller, that s a sign that a tsunami could be coming your way, too. ÎÎAnd what do we do when there s a chance of a tsunami? Prompt students to respond: ÎÎWe get away from the coastline as fast as we can and head for higher ground! Lead students in one of the Practice Activities below. ÎÎSo, are you ready to practice what we ve learned about being prepared for a tsunami? Lead students in one of the Sharing Activities below. ÎÎNow let s share what we ve learned. Wrap-up with a review: ÎÎWhere do most tsunamis happen in the United States? A: Along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean. ÎÎWhat should you do when there s a tsunami WARNING? A: Move away from the coastline as fast as possible and head for higher ground. ÎÎWhen is it safe to stop and watch a tsunami? A: Never! If you can see the waves, you re too close for safety. Keep heading for higher ground. Transition: Î Î So, now you re prepared for tsunamis. But remember, you need to share what you ve learned to help everyone be prepared. So later today, tell a friend what to do if you feel an earthquake near the coastline. Even better, when you go home, share you ve learned and make a plan to stay safe if a tsunami comes your way. 4

TSUNAMI PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES Practice Activities Practice Dash Divide students into teams of 5-6 for a take-off on Jeopardy. Explain that you will read an answer and that the student teams will compete by having one team member race toward you for the chance to give the correct question. The first student to arrive gives the question and wins a point for his/her team if correct, or loses a point if incorrect. Encourage the students to figure out the correct question as a team before sending their runner toward you. Example answers and questions: 1. Undersea earthquakes What causes most tsunamis? 2. 450 miles per hour How fast can a tsunami travel through the ocean? 3. More than 50 feet How tall can a tsunami be when it hits the shore? 4. At least 2 miles 5. Drop, Cover, and Hold On How far should you go inland to be safe from a tsunami? How should you protect yourself from an earthquake? 6. The ocean pulls away from the shore What s a sign that a tsunami might be on the way? Drop, Cover, and Hold On Tell students that you are going to create a pretend coastal earthquake to help them practice for the real thing. Start shaking slightly and say, I think I hear a rumbling! Earthquake! Have the students Drop, Cover, and Hold On while you and your team add appropriate sound effects (e.g., Wham! The whole bookcase tipped over. Smash! Now the windows are breaking. Bang! I think that was a tree falling outside. ) You can also flicker and turn off the lights to simulate the loss of power. After about 30 seconds, call out, OK, the shaking has stopped, but stay under cover a little longer just to be sure. Then say, OK, it s safe to come out now. Is everyone all right? Check yourself and your neighbors. Everyone OK? Continue by asking, OK, remember that we re near the ocean. What should we do next? Prompt the group to respond: We get away from the coastline as fast as we can and head for higher ground! Sharing Activities Divide students into small groups of 5-6 each and appoint a spokesperson for each group. Have all groups discuss one of the scenarios below and come up with ideas for what to do in that situation. Have the group spokespersons report on each group s ideas, then lead a whole group discussion to decide on the best way to handle the situation. 5

Cleaning Up Johanna and her family had to evacuate when there was a tsunami warning for her town. They knew what to do and got out fast, heading away from the coastline for higher ground. They stayed at a Red Cross shelter for a few days, until the authorities finally said they could go back home. Johanna was worried that her home might have been destroyed by the tsunami, so she was happy to see that it was still standing. But then she saw the mess! The tsunami had swept through their neighborhood, leaving piles of sand and trash everywhere. Inside, all their furniture was soaked and looked like it had been shoved around by the water. Johanna s parents said they d have to stay at her cousin s until they could get things cleaned up, and that made Johanna really upset. She wanted to stay in her own home. But then she remembered from The Pillowcase Project that it s OK to feel upset and have troubled thoughts during an emergency everyone does. And she remembered that there are things she could do to help her cope with those thoughts and feelings. What coping skills could Johanna use to help her cope with this emergency, and her thoughts and feelings about what had happened and how hard it was going to be to get back home? Answer: Taking slow breaths to stay calm. Bringing a buddy, like her cousin, to help with the clean up, so she won t feel alone. Singing a favorite song with her family while they clean up, or telling each other favorite stories, so she doesn t think so much about how she feels. Reminding each other how working together helps everyone get through a tough situation like cleaning up after a tsunami. Remembering that she and her family knew what to do when they heard the warning and got far enough away to be safe from the tsunami. Listening to grownups for other ways to help each other bounce back from this emergency. Tilly s Story Not long ago, a little girl named Tilly Smith was on vacation with her family in Thailand. One day, while she was sitting on the beach, Tilly noticed something strange. All of a sudden the ocean water started coming farther up the beach, much farther than a few minutes ago. Tilly ran to her mother. There s a tsunami coming, she said, We have to get away from the beach! Tilly s mother had never heard of a tsunami, but Tilly had learned about tsunamis from her teacher at school. She kept saying, We have to get away, until finally her family ran back to tell the hotel staff what Tilly had seen. The hotel staff knew about tsunamis, and they quickly spread the alarm, telling everyone along the beach to move away from the ocean as fast and as far as possible. Thanks to Tilly, by the time the tsunami arrived, there was no one within miles of the beach, and no one was hurt when the tsunami crashed onto the shore. How did sharing help save the day in Tilly s story? Make a list of all the people in the story who shared what they had learned about tsunamis. Then keep the sharing going by listing three people you can share Tilly s story with today. Answer: Help students recognize that a chain of sharing runs through Tilly s Story: Tilly s teacher Tilly Tilly s mother Tilly s family the beach resort staff all the people on the beach. This chain continues through the students themselves, who can extend the chain by sharing Tilly s Story with family and friends. 6

The Pillowcase Project Learn. Practice. Share. Sharing Activities Read the activity assigned to your group. Then talk with the members of your group to come up with ideas for that situation. Help the spokesperson for your group take notes on the group s ideas. After your spokesperson shares your group s ideas with the class, join in the discussion to decide on the best ideas for the situation. Cleaning Up REPRODUCIBLE MASTER Tsunami Preparedness Johanna and her family had to evacuate when there was a tsunami warning for her town. They knew what to do and got out fast, heading away from the coastline for higher ground. They stayed at a Red Cross shelter for a few days, until the authorities finally said they could go back home. Johanna was worried that her home might have been destroyed by the tsunami, so she was happy to see that it was still standing. But then she saw the mess! The tsunami had swept through their neighborhood, leaving piles of sand and trash everywhere. Inside, all their furniture was soaked and looked like it had been shoved around by the water. Johanna s parents said they d have to stay at her cousin s until they could get things cleaned up, and that made Johanna really upset. She wanted to stay in her own home. But then she remembered from The Pillowcase Project that it s OK to feel upset and have troubled thoughts during an emergency everyone does. And she remembered that there are things she could do to help her cope with those thoughts and feelings. What coping skills could Johanna use to help her cope with this emergency, and her thoughts and feelings about what had happened and how hard it was going to be to get back home? Tilly s Story Not long ago, a little girl named Tilly Smith was on vacation with her family in Thailand. One day, while she was sitting on the beach, Tilly noticed something strange. All of a sudden the ocean water started coming farther up the beach, much farther than a few minutes ago. Tilly ran to her mother. There s a tsunami coming, she said, We have to get away from the beach! Tilly s mother had never heard of a tsunami, but Tilly had learned about tsunamis from her teacher at school. She kept saying, We have to get away, until finally her family ran back to tell the hotel staff what Tilly had seen. The hotel staff knew about tsunamis, and they quickly spread the alarm, telling everyone along the beach to move away from the ocean as fast and as far as possible. Thanks to Tilly, by the time the tsunami arrived, there was no one within miles of the beach, and no one was hurt when the tsunami crashed onto the shore. How did sharing help save the day in Tilly s story? Make a list of all the people in the story who shared what they had learned about tsunamis. Then keep the sharing going by listing three people you can share this story with today.

The Pillowcase Project Learn. Practice. Share. Student Pre-Assessment 1. Circle all of the items that should be in the emergency supplies kit you keep at home. First Aid Kit Fresh Fruit Radio Canned Food Flashlight 2. How often should a grownup test the smoke alarms in your home? A: Never B: Once a month C: Every Day D: Don t know 3. What should you take with you when you are escaping from a home fire? A: Nothing just get out fast B: Your pillowcase kit C: Your home fire escape plan D: Don t know 4. What can help you stay calm and relaxed during an emergency? A: Breathing with color B: Running around in circles C: Holding your breath D: Don t know 5. If you are near the ocean and feel an earthquake, what should you do? A: Drop, Cover, and Hold On until the earthquake is over, then move away from the ocean as fast and as far as you can. C: Move away from the ocean immediately don t wait for the shaking to stop. B: Drop, Cover, and Hold on until the earthquake is over, then head for the ocean to see if there is a tsunami. D: Don t Know

The Pillowcase Project Learn. Practice. Share. Student Post-Assessment 1. Circle all of the items that should be in the emergency supplies kit you keep at home. First Aid Kit Fresh Fruit Radio Canned Food Flashlight 2. How often should a grownup test the smoke alarms in your home? A: Never B: Once a month C: Every Day D: Don t know 3. What should you take with you when you are escaping from a home fire? A: Nothing just get out fast B: Your pillowcase kit C: Your home fire escape plan D: Don t know 4. What can help you stay calm and relaxed during an emergency? A: Breathing with color B: Running around in circles C: Holding your breath D: Don t know 5. If you are near the ocean and feel an earthquake, what should you do? A: Drop, Cover, and Hold On until the earthquake is over, then move away from the ocean as fast and as far as you can. C: Move away from the ocean immediately don t wait for the shaking to stop. B: Drop, Cover, and Hold on until the earthquake is over, then head for the ocean to see if there is a tsunami. D: Don t Know 6. Do you feel more prepared for an emergency? (Please circle yes or no) Yes No