Characteristics of the Tsunami that poses risks to Queensland’s population
A tsunami is a disaster that occurs when there is a sudden movement or displacement of water by earthquakes, underwater landslides, and volcano eruptions (Behrens et al., 2021). Unlike regular beach waves, Tsunami waves have high energy and long wavelength. The earthquakes’ forces are so strong that they create waves that radiate from the source at high speed. When the wave energy reaches the coastline, the height of the water increases such that it spreads beyond the coastline, destructing the people and properties nearby. Tsunamis are mostly known to occur in areas next to large water bodies. Among the areas affected by Tsunami is Queensland, whose coastline lies next to the pacific ocean (Queensland Government, 2022). The most common cause of Tsunamis in Queensland is underwater earthquakes since its coastline is exposed to various earthquake sources. New Hebrides and Kermadec-tonga zones are two subduction zones for earthquakes close to Queensland and are known to be very active (Bavas, 2019).
Tsunamis have various characteristics that make them risky to people living in vulnerable areas. Tsunamis are destructive and cause losses such as deaths and the demolition of buildings. Secondly, tsunamis are simultaneous and are known to occur without warning. In most cases, Tsunamis are hardly foreseen before they occur or are predicted too late for proper safety measures to be taken. Moreover, Tsunamis travel at a very high speed over a short time. It is estimated that a tsunami can move at over 500 mph in a deep ocean, similar to 800 kilometers per hour (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2019). The speed is compared to that of a jet and, in the shallow ocean, to that of a car. This means it is not possible for people to adequately respond to information about an incoming tsunami or save all their properties. Additionally, the wavelengths make it hard for people to notice before it hits the coastline. As a result, the Tsunami’s destructive nature interrupts the areas and people adjacent to the coastal line.
Vulnerable populations and areas
With the characteristics attributed to tsunamis: high speed and unpredictability, various factors would make areas in Queensland and individuals living there part of the vulnerable population. High-populated areas pose a significant risk since, with the speed of the Tsunami; there will be much commotion, making evacuation hard to achieve (León Canales et al., 2019). Vulnerable regions include southern Queensland, urbanized cities such as the Gold coast, and areas that attract many tourists. In a census conducted in Queensland, the south of Queensland has a population of 3,758,965 living in 1,554,484 dwellings with an average household of 2.55 (idcommunity, 2022). The most settled city in southeastern Queensland is Goldcoast, with a population of 595,000 people, which makes up almost half of the total population in the region. Cairns city is also an area that has most of the tourists. People who live along the coastline are also at high risk since the coast is the first location to get hit by the waves. Southern East Queensland also fits as a vulnerable area since it borders the pacific ocean. The government of Queensland also identifies coastal regions in South East Queensland, such as the Gold Coast and the stretch of the coast from Agnes waters to Bundaberg, as risky areas since there is a narrow shelf and they have been noted to experience greater waves heights and inundations.
Moreover, Spiro Spiliopoulos from Geoscience Australia stated that the sunshine coast, Harvey Bay, and Brisbane regions produce Tsunamis that threaten the Queensland coast (Bavas, 2019). All the people living in these areas are said to be part of the vulnerable population. Moreover, children and the disabled form part of the vulnerable population since they depend on others. Conclusively, the level of mobility of the children and the disabled is limited hence their response rate to any alarm on an incoming Tsunami.
Factors and characteristics which put the state at risk
Queensland is among the most populated state in Australia and the sixth largest sub-national entity in the world, with a population of 5.01 million. Its population density is three people per square kilometre. This means the areas are densely populated with houses close to each other. This would pose a risk to the people since the death rate will be high in case of a tsunami. Additionally, with so many people living together, the speed of climatic destruction, which is a cause that influences Tsuamis barriers, is very high, which means there is an increased risk of a tsunami. According to Yavuz et al. (2020), triggered climatic changes cause high risks of earthquake-triggered tsunamis and sea level rise.
Another observation about Queensland is its attraction to tourists. Bordering the pacific ocean, the area has resorts, farming regions, stunning coastlines, and different marine activities. The coastline is also best known for drinks such as cocktails, fine foods and wines, lovely pubs, and quality accommodations. The national parks are also filled with waterfalls, rare birds, and various animals (pacific coast way, 2021). All these make the coast a busy area and an appropriate place for interaction and vacation. The serenity means that the beach will always have people going about their activities.
Witvorapong et al. (2015). State that gender plays a significant role in risk evasion and reduction in the community. According to a census in 2021, the number of females was more than the number of men by 2.2%. This shows that in case of a disaster, women being part of the larger population, are expected to give ahand in the safety measures. However, women are physically weaker compared to men. They might increase the risk of the Tsunami as they cannot offer more workforce than men in implementing the safety strategies. Healthwise, 7 in 10 people who lived in Queensland in 2021 reported being diagnosed with a long-term illness (QLD gov, 2021). Poor health conditions pose a risk since the people do not have the immunity and the resilience to survive a tsunami.
Moreover, the task force needed to implement the evacuation plan must be solid and fast. The statistics also confirmed that out of the many households found in Queensland, one person household held the highest rank. There is a high possibility of risk when an individual lives alone since communication and collaboration are low. An individual living alone is less likely to be saved than a household with several people.
Strategies for the government and stakeholders to reduce risks and vulnerability to the Tsunami
Various strategies have been put in place by the government and other stakeholders to reduce the risks associated with the Tsunami. Among the measures taken is the use of the Sendai framework. This plan focuses on adopting features that look into distant risks ( exposure to hazards, vulnerability, and hazard characteristics) to prevent new and existing threats. For example, a storm tide monitoring site in Queensland is established to monitor the coastline. This is under the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Center, which monitors, assesses, and gives warnings to the people. Using previous Tsunami data, the network can forecast and predict the possibilities of future tsunamis (Queensland, 2015). At most, the station warns of an incoming tsunami 12 hours before it hits the coastline. (Ciccarelli, 2022) Additionally, the government and other stakeholders have ensured that the disaster data and weather forecast centers are well-funded and that systems are working correctly to enhance communication between the people of Queensland and the centers.
Professor Guilin Xing from the University of Queensland recommends that there should be well-planned evacuation plans in case of an alarm to ensure minimal time is taken to evacuate the vulnerable (The University of Queensland, 2014). He goes on to suggest that there is a need for more research on improved warning systems. The resilience and collaboration of the people in the communities prone to disasters are also crucial as a mitigation factor. Through collaboration, people can learn and disseminate knowledge among themselves while preparing for a Tsunami. While working together, the community members can effectively collect resources such as food and emergency kits to be used after a disaster (Witvorapong et al., 2015). The government also plays an important role in the community program as they fund disaster reduction programs. Moreover, the government has developed a disaster management plan called Queensland State Disaster Management Plan, which works to minimize the disaster. The main aim of Q.S.D.M.P. is to formulate a framework and practices that enhance disaster management, such as a Tsunami in Queensland (Queensland government, 2022).
Scientists and researchers in Queensland have also investigated factors that cause Tsunamis and the best strategies for prevention. They found that coral cover structures dampen the tsunami waves’ size; thus, there has been construction along the Queensland coastal line. The coral covers also reduce the damage the Tsunami might have on the adjacent buildings and infrastructure. With the structure in place, the risk of tsunamis is reduced by 31% (U.N.D.R.R., 2021). This is in line with the Sendai framework concept of minimizing exposure to the hazard. Since the coral covers play a significant role in minimizing tsunamis, the people living along the coast have been educated on protecting the coral reefs and avoiding activities that impact climate change. Moreover, areas such as north and central Queensland have been identified as the best places for the people to settle since they experience low heights of tsunamis (Queensland Government, 2022).
References
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Queensland Government (2022) Tsunami: Get ready Queensland, Tsunami | Get Ready Queensland. Available at: https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/understand-your-risk/types-disasters/tsunami (Accessed: January 21, 2023).
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