Tsunami disaster risk: Past impact and projections

This report analyses data regarding past impacts and projections for tsunami disaster risk. Tsunamis are rare, powerful and unpredictable natural hazards, and they are the deadliest type of major natural disaster on the planet in terms of the proportion of victims killed.

The publication proposes the following recommendations:

• Regional and international disaster preparedness policies should prioritise areas where the largest numbers of people are vulnerable to tsunami events, and take into account how rapid demographic changes and rising sea levels can increase relative levels of exposure;
• The substantial risks related to nuclear installations on high-risk coastlines should also be of great concern when planning for future tsunami disasters;
• Tsunami early warning systems, risk information, education and preparedness are all needed to guide local populations and visitors on how to react after an earthquake, with evacuation routes clearly sign-posted.