Tsunamis

[ukreal1]

What are the risks in the Okinawa region, my 7 year old daughter keeps asking me so I thought I would put it out there. This is her only 'problem' with coming over there, I think she saw something on national geographic that had 'tsunmai' and 'japan' in the same sentence! Have any of you ever experienced one, what about earthquakes around Okinawa. I know japan has a lot of faultlines...:eek:
thanks!

[dk]

I don't think we've ever been hit by a tsunami... Or anything I'd classify as a tsunami. Have we? The waves pick up during typhoons, but we've never had any serious devastation. Just a few broken trees and some drownings from time to time when people are dumb enough to go swimming/surfing/diving right around the time a typhoon is about to hit.

[DougP]

Well My wife and I awoke to a small earthquake yesterday morning. Other's I know felt it too.
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/8/07090800391.html
If there is a chance of a tsunami they'll issue a warning. And they measure the tsunamis in centimeters btw so even the small ones coming our way will get reported before hand :)

[Muku]

I don't think we've ever been hit by a tsunami... Or anything I'd classify as a tsunami. Have we? The waves pick up during typhoons, but we've never had any serious devastation. Just a few broken trees and some drownings from time to time when people are dumb enough to go swimming/surfing/diving right around the time a typhoon is about to hit.
According to relatives many years ago, possibly right after WWII in the Oura wan a tsunami hit and either one person died or 2 or 3 people died, depending on who is telling the story.

I personally have seen a tsunami here in Okinawa after an earthquake in mainland Japan. Not all tsunamis are monsters like the one that hit over Chirstmas a few years back in Thailand and Java, the one here was in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 centimeters or so. I was camping on the beach when it happened, relatives came over and started yelling at all of us to get off the beach because a tsunami was coming. I would have missed it if someone hadnt pointed out what to look for at that time and location as well.

The threat here is very real as well. It all depends on the location of the earthquake. Okinawa lies just off one of the major fault lines but is still close enough to feel seismic activity. On occasion we get earthquakes here as well, but nothing in comparison to the monsters that hit mainland.

This "area" is not called the Rim of Fire for no reason.

However there hasnt been a "killer" tsunami here in all the centuries that I feel I have been living here so tell your daughter not to worry. Think of it this way, she has better odds of getting hit by a bolt of lightening than seeing a tsunami.

[Hollarey]

Well My wife and I awoke to a small earthquake yesterday morning. Other's I know felt it too.
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/8/07090800391.html
If there is a chance of a tsunami they'll issue a warning. And they measure the tsunamis in centimeters btw so even the small ones coming our way will get reported before hand :)

Yup..I felt that one yesterday morning. My chair started swaying back and forth and the whole upstairs was swaying. I thought maybe I was just dizzy or something so immediately I started looking up earthquake news and it was posted that one just happened.

[dk]

I personally have seen a tsunami here in Okinawa after an earthquake in mainland Japan. Not all tsunamis are monsters like the one that hit over Chirstmas a few years back in Thailand and Java, the one here was in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 centimeters or so. I was camping on the beach when it happened, relatives came over and started yelling at all of us to get off the beach because a tsunami was coming. I would have missed it if someone hadnt pointed out what to look for at that time and location as well.
What exactly does a 15 to 20 centimeter tsunami look like? :scared:

To me, in my mind, I visualize a perfectly normal wave. That's hillarious. I bet ants everywhere on Okinawa were screaming "Armageddon!"

[Muku]

What exactly does a 15 to 20 centimeter tsunami look like? :scared:


The beach area I was at had an area that was not, and usually isn't affected by waves, unless there is a typhoon and storm surge. Anyway my relatives told me where to watch and it was over before I even knew what I was looking at. But the water line suddenly rose for a few seconds up roughly 15 to 20 cm's and then dropped back down to "normal".

Up in mainland they usually check for the height of tsunamis in areas where there is little or no wave activity, like in the harbors and they are able to accurately measure the height of the tsunami.

Like I wrote before if I didnt know where to what to look for it would have passed me without knowing about it.

To me, in my mind, I visualize a perfectly normal wave. That's hillarious. I bet ants everywhere on Okinawa were screaming "Armageddon!"

I was kind of feeling the same thing when I first heard about it, like why arent we racing for the top of that mountain back there......:eek:

Looking back at it now it was rather funny, we were the only people one the beach moving our stuff off, because of the relatives that came running over yelling at us to move our butts. Everyone else was looking at us like wtf, but then they are old folks and it is rather hard to know as I never had been around a tsunami before.

[dk]

Cool story. I'd like to see one of those mini-tsunamis someday.

[P_chan]

Did anyone feel that earthquake last night? It was around 12:20am and I felt it. I was laying in bed about to fall asleep once it happened. It was just a small shaking but lasted about 5 seconds.

[Tempestuous]

According to relatives many years ago, possibly right after WWII in the Oura wan a tsunami hit and either one person died or 2 or 3 people died, depending on who is telling the story.

I personally have seen a tsunami here in Okinawa after an earthquake in mainland Japan. Not all tsunamis are monsters like the one that hit over Chirstmas a few years back in Thailand and Java, the one here was in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 centimeters or so. I was camping on the beach when it happened, relatives came over and started yelling at all of us to get off the beach because a tsunami was coming. I would have missed it if someone hadnt pointed out what to look for at that time and location as well.

The threat here is very real as well. It all depends on the location of the earthquake. Okinawa lies just off one of the major fault lines but is still close enough to feel seismic activity. On occasion we get earthquakes here as well, but nothing in comparison to the monsters that hit mainland.

This "area" is not called the Rim of Fire for no reason.

However there hasnt been a "killer" tsunami here in all the centuries that I feel I have been living here so tell your daughter not to worry. Think of it this way, she has better odds of getting hit by a bolt of lightening than seeing a tsunami.


Our sponsor said one time there were the little announcement cars going around and around.... saying the same thing over and over again in Japanese, like they had never seen before, they thought it was odd, but whatever. Well he goes to work and finds out it was they were announcing a potential tsunami. They lived RIGHT on the sea-wall and were like- Oh!! That could have been something nice to know! :D

[socalheart]

Okinawa is as much at risk from a tsunami as any other island surrounded by fault lines.

I'd think that if a tsunami started far away from the island, we might have a mini-tsunami like the one mentioned above that was the size of a regular wave. If it happens closer, we're in trouble; but, as previously stated by someone, that hasn't happened in over half a century or so. Scientists say big stuff like that is spaced in terms of centuries. (Not any specific scientist... it's like saying, people say...)

I believe the military will post tsunami warnings on AFN if necessary. I'm sure that the Japanese also have something set up for tsunamis. Both have a hi-tech tsunami warning system in place.

(If your kid has a developed (possibly dry?) sense of humour, you can always recommend surfing lessons to her. :D :p )

[P_chan]

Well I'm lucky and I live on the 5th floor of a 7 floor complex. It would take one helluva tsunami to make it that high.

[ryukyuboi]

Years ago the American schools on Okinawa had periodic tsunami drills if the school was located near the ocean. Earthquake drills were also conducted.

Very small tsunamis have hit Okinawa as a result of an earthquake elsewhere - usually quite a distance from the island. I don't recall hearing that any major damage to property ever occurred, nor any loss of life.

Earthquakes are way more frequent than tsunamis, although the quakes are relatively minor - usually 4.0 or less on the Richter scale. You may feel one about once a year or less on average.

Peace.

[P_chan]

Years ago the American schools on Okinawa had periodic tsunami drills if the school was located near the ocean. Earthquake drills were also conducted.

Very small tsunamis have hit Okinawa as a result of an earthquake elsewhere - usually quite a distance from the island. I don't recall hearing that any major damage to property ever occurred, nor any loss of life.

Earthquakes are way more frequent than tsunamis, although the quakes are relatively minor - usually 4.0 or less on the Richter scale. You may feel one about once a year or less on average.

Peace.

I have felt three so far this year. I must be above average:D

[Muku]

If you can read Japanese here is a link to a Japanese weather page that also have information about earthquakes and when they occured and where here in Japan. There is a drop down box on the right with the dates and times of the seismic activity that occured over the past 3 or 4 weeks or so.

The one you refered to occured on on August 9th at 0019 local.

Earthquake Information (http://www.tenki.jp/qua/q_3.html)

Even if you cant read the Japanese the site is fairly easy to navigate and you should be able to figure it out.

[ukreal1]

P Chan, when I arrive I will be needing directions to your high rise so I can run there in case of Tsunami!!! and I think IF we live on/near Kinser, my kids will be going to Kinser elementary, isn't that right on the water?:scared:

[dk]

There's plenty of high-ground near Kinser ukreal. All you have to do is get in your car and drive for a few minutes. Heck, most of kinser is high ground.

I wouldn't worry too much about it.

And I live on the 6th floor. :p

[ukreal1]

good to hear! I feel better now! :star:

[ness4k]

Hell the last typoon was suppose to be a SUPER-TYPOON...yea I've been through worse thunderstorms back in GA where I'm from. Super..."not so much"-Borat

[Muku]

Hell the last typoon was suppose to be a SUPER-TYPOON...yea I've been through worse thunderstorms back in GA where I'm from. Super..."not so much"-Borat

Wait, typhoons in autumn are usually much stronger.:scared::D

[DoctorP]

There's plenty of high-ground near Kinser ukreal. All you have to do is get in your car and drive for a few minutes. Heck, most of kinser is high ground.

I wouldn't worry too much about it.

And I live on the 6th floor. :p

You consider Kinser high ground? Maybe the towers, but nothing else! Courtney is high ground...but not Kinser.

[dk]

You consider Kinser high ground? Maybe the towers, but nothing else! Courtney is high ground...but not Kinser.
I consider it high enough. :thumbup1: I'm talking about the top of the hill, near 58, not the bottom near the reefs.

[DoctorP]

I consider it high enough. :thumbup1: I'm talking about the top of the hill, near 58, not the bottom near the reefs.


Thought maybe you meant that...but the school and much of the housing is on the low ground...don't want you putting her too much at ease!

[dk]

Yer all gonna dieeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

j/k

[P_chan]

Isn't there a typhoon that might come here soon? It's heading towards the Philippines but they say it might curve our way.

[Muku]

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/images/zooml/0708-00.png

It might come this weekend:cursing:

[socalheart]

It looks like we'll just get a lot of rain, like the last one. Is it just me, or do all typhoons hit during the weekend? sigh...

[Muku]

It looks like we'll just get a lot of rain, like the last one. Is it just me, or do all typhoons hit during the weekend? sigh...
No it isnt just you, there was one year roughly 8 or 10 years ago that damn near every weekend during the summer had a typhoon brush by the island or actually hit...believe me it sucked.

[ukreal1]

oh great, I don't think I want to live near Kinser!!! LOL
Particularly when I see the school hasn't updated its web page in 2 yrs...
while I am on that note, (to military members with kids) what happens when you live off base, do you choose the school or is there set area bounderies...
'cause more than likely we are going to live off base since we have the dog...

[DoctorP]

Yes, there are boundaries.

[Asshat]

oh great, I don't think I want to live near Kinser!!! LOL
Particularly when I see the school hasn't updated its web page in 2 yrs...
while I am on that note, (to military members with kids) what happens when you live off base, do you choose the school or is there set area bounderies...
'cause more than likely we are going to live off base since we have the dog...

ukreal, the only way you will be forced to live on Kinser is if the sponsor works on that base. Despite their webpage needing an update, it is a very good school.

You can still live on-base if you have a pet, you just can not live in the towers. Off base areas are zoned for specific schools. With a couple of exceptions, you may request a waiver to attend a school out of the zone, however you will be responsible for getting your kids to and from school.

If you chose off base, be aware that some housing agencies will tell you that transportation or a particular school is no problem. Before signing a lease, call the schools and the transportation office and double check.

[ukreal1]

ukreal, the only way you will be forced to live on Kinser is if the sponsor works on that base. Despite their webpage needing an update, it is a very good school.

You can still live on-base if you have a pet, you just can not live in the towers. Off base areas are zoned for specific schools. With a couple of exceptions, you may request a waiver to attend a school out of the zone, however you will be responsible for getting your kids to and from school.


Thanks for the info. Well the sponser, my hubby, is assigned to Kinser, first it was foster then they changed him to where they needed him most, which is Kinser...and Kinser has only towers...

[DoctorP]

There are housing units on Kinser. Not sure who told you otherwise. Of course this may be due to your husbands rank...maybe he only rates a tower? But that doesn't sound right to me.

[ukreal1]

They only have multiplexes for e7 and above (and even then they only have a few), hubby, an e6, is jrnco by AF ratings...sucks...