Tsunamis are Enormous Waves Caused by an Underground Disturbance Such as an Earthquake
The U.S. Virgin Islands, along with the rest of the Caribbean, is considered a region with high levels of vulnerability and threat for tsunamis.
Tsunamis can move hundreds of miles per hour, and hit land with waves topping 100 feet in height.
Since 1842, more than 3,500 people have lost their lives to tsunamis in the Caribbean. In recent years, there has been an explosive population growth and influx of tourists along the Caribbean coasts increasing the tsunami vulnerability of the region.
Other events, such as the earthquakes and tsunamis in the Indian Ocean (2004), Samoa (2009, Haiti and Chile (2010) and Japan (2011), attest to the importance of proper planning for tsunami response.