General Knowledge
Survive a Tsunami Quiz
The wave is coming — do you know enough to survive a tsunami?
The wave is coming — do you know enough to survive a tsunami?
The tallest tsunami wave ever recorded reached 524 meters in Alaska's Lituya Bay in 1958. Understanding tsunami science and survival strategies could literally save your life in a coastal emergency.
Each round presents 10 randomized multiple-choice questions drawn from a pool of 50, so every playthrough is different. You get instant feedback with explanations after each answer, plus a shareable score at the end.
Learn critical tsunami survival knowledge including warning signs like sudden sea recession, the science of wave trains and their ocean-crossing speeds, historical disasters from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami to the 2011 Tohoku event, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center's role, and vertical evacuation strategies.
Key warning signs include a sudden and unusual recession of the ocean (the water pulling far back from shore), a strong earthquake felt near the coast, a loud roaring sound from the ocean, and unusual animal behavior. If you notice the sea rapidly retreating, move to high ground immediately.
Tsunami waves can travel across the open ocean at speeds up to 500-600 mph (800-970 km/h) — as fast as a jet airliner. In deep water they may be only a foot tall, but as they approach shallow coastlines, they slow down and the wave height increases dramatically.
If caught in a tsunami, grab onto something that floats, try to avoid buildings and debris, and do not try to swim against the current. If possible, climb to the upper floors of a reinforced concrete building (vertical evacuation). Never return to low ground until authorities confirm it is safe, as multiple waves can arrive over hours.
Last updated: April 2026