Earth Sciences New Zealand study identifies gaps in tsunami safety awareness

New social science research led by Earth Sciences New Zealand is aimed at improving tsunami safety messaging. The study, published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, surveyed over 1,100 people to evaluate their understanding of evacuation maps, official alerts, and natural warning signs.

While the research found that public awareness of tsunami risks and evacuation zones is generally high, it also identified critical gaps in preparedness. Approximately 25% of participants did not fully grasp the necessity of evacuating immediately upon recognizing natural warning signs. Additionally, many respondents expected emergency mobile alerts for local-source tsunamis, which can arrive within an hour—often before official warnings can be issued.

Lead author Dr Mary Anne Clive emphasized that for local-source tsunamis, there is often insufficient time for official alerts. The findings highlight the need for clear, memorable safety instructions, such as the ‘Long or Strong, Get Gone’ message, to encourage immediate action during an earthquake.