Large tsunamis do not happen often, but they pose a significant threat to coastal communities around the world. Since 1900 alone, more than 290,000 deaths have been attributed to 115 tsunamis.

Recognizing that the tsunami hazard poses a global threat that requires international attention and cooperation, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 5 as World Tsunami Awareness Day. Each year, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction calls on governmental and nongovernmental organizations, as well as individuals, to observe the day by engaging in efforts to raise tsunami awareness and share innovative approaches to risk reduction.

For the second year in a row, World Tsunami Awareness Day will align with the International Day for Disaster Reduction and the "Sendai Seven Campaign." This year, the two campaigns are focusing on the second target of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which aims to “reduce the number of affected people globally” by disasters.

To support World Tsunami Awareness Day and help promote the global culture of tsunami awareness, the National Weather Service includes tsunamis in its fall safety campaign. Tsunami-related social media messages that can be adapted to incorporate World Tsunami Awareness Day are available at https://www.weather.gov/wrn/fall2017-tsunami-sm.

Help spread the word about World Tsunami Awareness Day! On the Web, visit http://www.unisdr.org/2017/tsunamiday/ to learn more. On social media, use the hashtag #TsunamiDay2017.