On November 5, 2025, the world marks World Tsunami Awareness Day, themed around “Early Warning and Early Action for All.” Yet even after decades of progress, more than 2.5 billion people still live in coastal areas at tsunami risk. This infographic blog visualizes where those risks lie, how early-warning networks work, and why every minute matters when a wall of water begins to rise. Sources: UNDRR • UNESCO-IOC • WMO • NOAA NCEI.
🌏 Global tsunami reality check (2025)
- Since 1900, over 2,200 tsunamis have been recorded worldwide — most in the Pacific Ocean region.
- 1 in 6 people live in areas that could be affected by coastal flooding or tsunami run-up. (UNESCO-IOC Global Tsunami Model)
- Fewer than 50% of coastal communities in high-risk countries are fully covered by early-warning systems.
- The UN’s Early Warnings for All initiative aims to protect everyone on Earth by 2027.
🌊 Global Tsunami Threat Map 2025
The Pacific Ring of Fire remains the world’s most active tsunami zone, with secondary threats across the Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and Caribbean. This schematic map highlights the subduction zones most capable of generating destructive waves. Source: WMO WTAD 2025.
🔴 Red arcs show tectonic plate boundaries responsible for most historical megatsunamis. Coastal nations facing the Pacific and Indian Oceans remain the most vulnerable in 2025.
📊 Deadliest tsunamis in modern history
Combined records from NOAA and historical archives (deaths ≥ 10,000).
⏰ Minutes that save lives
Every minute counts — a tsunami can reach nearby shores within 10–20 minutes of an undersea quake. Effective early-warning systems combine seismic detection, real-time sea-level monitoring, and mass communication. Source: UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Programme.
1️⃣ Detect
Seismic and DART ocean buoys detect sea-floor displacement in seconds.
2️⃣ Model
Regional centres calculate wave travel time and amplitude using AI models.
3️⃣ Warn
Alerts issued via Global Tsunami Warning System and national agencies (e.g. Japan Meteorological Agency, INCOIS-India).
4️⃣ Evacuate
Public sirens, phone alerts, and drills ensure immediate movement to higher ground.
Countries in the Global Tsunami Zone (2025)
The map highlights coastlines exposed to tsunami-generating subduction zones and major faults. Risk varies within each country (by coast). Always check your national warning agency for local guidance.
Pacific Rim (Americas, East Asia, Oceania)
Americas (Pacific coasts)
United States (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii), Canada (British Columbia), Mexico (Pacific), Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia (Pacific), Ecuador, Peru, Chile.
East Asia
Japan, Taiwan, South Korea (east coast), Russia (Far East: Kamchatka/Kurils), China (East China Sea segments), North Korea (east coast).
Southeast Asia & Pacific Islands
Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia (Sabah/Sarawak coasts), Brunei, Singapore (regional exposure), Vietnam (limited), Thailand (Andaman side), Cambodia (low), Myanmar; Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa & American Samoa, Niue, Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Nauru, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Pitcairn.
Australasia
New Zealand (both islands), Australia (northwest & east coasts: lower but non-zero risk).
Indian Ocean
South Asia
India (Andaman & Nicobar, east coast; parts of west coast), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh (limited), Pakistan (Makran subduction zone exposure).
Southeast & Maritime Asia (Indian Ocean side)
Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara), Thailand (Andaman), Myanmar, Malaysia (west coast of Peninsula), Maldives.
East Africa & Arabian region
Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa (rare, distal), Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Réunion; Oman, Yemen, Iran (Gulf of Oman segment).
Mediterranean & Caribbean (regional tsunami sources)
Mediterranean & Black Sea
Greece, Türkiye (Aegean & Mediterranean), Italy (Sicily, Calabria, Tyrrhenian segments), Cyprus, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina (short coast), Slovenia (short coast), France (Mediterranean), Spain (Mediterranean & Canaries—Atlantic volcanic tsunamis possible), Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco; Georgia/Türkiye (Black Sea low-to-modest).
Caribbean & Atlantic margins
Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, the Bahamas (regional), Turks & Caicos, Cayman Islands, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Martinique, Guadeloupe; Venezuela (Caribbean coast), Colombia (Caribbean), Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua (Caribbean), Costa Rica (Caribbean), Panama (Caribbean). Atlantic: Azores, Madeira, Canaries; U.S. East Coast & Canada Atlantic (lower but present due to distant sources & landslide scenarios).
Note: Lists emphasize coastlines with historical or modeled tsunami exposure. Inland areas are generally not at risk; local hazard maps and evacuation guides should be consulted.
🏃♀️ How to stay safe during a tsunami alert
- Feel a long or strong earthquake? Move immediately to higher ground — don’t wait for official warnings.
- Memorize your area’s evacuation routes and safe zones.
- Never go back after the first wave; multiple surges can follow.
- Follow official sources like Tsunami.gov or your local disaster authority.
