Tsunami Surges (Planet in Peril, Volume 3)

Extreme weather dominates news bulletins around the world. From tsunamis to superstorms, floods to wild fires, natural disasters affect people globally on a daily basis. Tsunamis, and their deadly consequences, have hit the headlines over the past decade as two enormous tsunami waves devastated first communities throughout southeast Asia in 2004, and then the coast of Japan in 2011. But why are these occurrences so difficult to predict? And what happens to the affected communities after disaster has struck? Planet in Peril: Tsunami Surges answers these questions and many more, including what tsunamis are, what causes them and how technology is helping people to prepare for them.

The book looks at three of these natural disasters from recent years in detail: the Boxing Day Asian tsunami, sometimes referred to as tsunami 2004, the Chilean earthquake and tsunami of 2010 and the Japan tsunami of 2011. Comprehensive case studies cover when and where the tsunami wave struck, the immediate impact of the disaster, the long-term effects, the global aid efforts and the rebuilding and regeneration of affected communities. Eyewitness panels give firsthand accounts of the disaster from tsunami victims, emergency service personnel, aid workers and scientists working to combat the effects of natural disasters. Infographic elements display statistics about each tsunami in a clear, concise and visual way.

Learn about the preparations made for tsunamis: what protective mechanisms and warning systems are in place, the emergency drills people must learn, and how communities are evacuated in the event of a disaster. Find out about the disaster recovery effort immediately after each event, how aid reaches affected areas, and where it comes from.