Public Perceptions Of Tsunamis And Tsunami Warning Signs In Los Angeles
Rosati, Antonia 1
1 Santa Monica College
After the devastating December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, California and other coastal states began installing "Tsunami Warning Zone" and "Evacuation Route" signs at beaches and major access roads.
The geography of the Los Angeles area may not be conducive to signage alone for communication of the tsunami risk and safety precautions. Over a year after installation, most surveyed do not know about or recognize the tsunami signs.
More alarming is that many did not believe a tsunami could occur in the area even though earthquake generated waves have reached nearby beaches as recently as September 2009!
The public need more than signs to become prepared for a tsunami. The dense population, expansive geography and tourism patterns should be better assessed before moving forward with the project.
The state must understand the expectations of the area's population and find a way to meet or adjust those expectations to match emergency management plans and capabilities.
Atwater, B., Cisternas, V., Bourgeois, J., Dudley, W., Hendley, J., Stauffer, P. (2005). Surviving a Tsunami – Lessons from Chile, Hawaii, and Japan. U.S. Geologic Survey. Circular 1187, Version 1.1.
California Department of Transportation. (2009). Tsunami Sign Policy. Lander, J., Lockridge, P. (1989). United States Tsunamis 1690-1988. Boulder, CO: National Geophysical Data Center.
NOAA’s National Weather Service. (2010). West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center.
National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program. (2009). U.S. States and Territories National Tsunami Hazard Assessment: Historical Record and Sources for Waves.
National Weather Service. (2009). TsunamiReady.