How can the tsunami danger be reduced? This lesson we’ll see that although it’s impossible to stop earthquakes and tsunamis happening, good preparation and planning can help save lives and reduce damage to property.

It is impossible to prevent earthquakes and tsunamis from happening but there is much that can be done to reduce the damage caused by them. Hawaii, for example, was hit by tsunamis in 1946 and 1964 following earthquakes in Chile and Alaska. In both cases, fewer than 100 people lost their lives and damage was small. This was due mainly to good preparation and an efficient early warning system. Measures to reduce the effects of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis are usually in two parts. The first is to predict where and when the event will happen. The second is to prepare local people and the emergency services for the disaster.

1.Write down three signs that an earthquake may be about to happen. 2a. How could a tsunami early warning system save lives? b. Would early warning always save lives? Give reasons for your answer. 3. List the different ways that could be used to inform people about earthquakes and tsunamis.

4. Write out the sentence beginnings in the drawing. Complete them with the correct endings from the list.