[Coral-List] Incredible Tsunami Photos

[Michael Risk]

Hi Jim, colleagues.

As far as I know, the best description of a tsunami hitting a coastline
was written from personal experience by Frances P. Sheppard, and may be
found in his book on Marine Geology. (Published in the 50's, I
guess-the science is out-dated but the tsunami part is all too fresh.)
He describes the recession of the waters vividly, as well as the
subsequent multiple wave impacts.

This has been known for so long it's hard to believe it's not part of
the school curriculum in places located on subductive plate margins.
Canadian newspapers recorded the case of a couple from Halifax walking
on the beach in Thailand. They saw the water recede, and thought it was
some sort of tidal phenomenon. A few seconds later the water took the
wife.

I'm afraid that all societies find it hard to prepare for
low-frequency/high-impact events.