disaster life_threatening ai_generated partial

AI advises sheltering on a concrete pier or harbor wall during a tsunami (structural collapse and debris impact risk)

ID: disaster/tsunami-harbor-structure-myth

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
75%Fix Rate
85%Confidence
1Evidence
2024-03-15First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
NOAA TsunamiReady v2.1 active — — —
USGS Tsunami Hazard Assessment 2024 active — — —

Root Cause

Concrete piers and harbor walls are engineered for static wave loads, not the dynamic, debris-laden surge of a tsunami; they can collapse or be swept away, and provide no elevation above the inundation zone.

generic

中文

混凝土码头和海堤是为静态波浪荷载设计的，而非海啸带来的动态、充满碎片的涌浪；它们可能倒塌或被冲走，且无法提供高于淹没区的高度。

Official Documentation

https://www.tsunami.gov/

Workarounds

  1. 88% success Evacuate to a designated tsunami vertical evacuation structure (e.g., a reinforced concrete building at least 30 feet above sea level) or move inland to high ground. Use the 'Tsunami Evacuation Map' app to identify safe zones. 
    Evacuate to a designated tsunami vertical evacuation structure (e.g., a reinforced concrete building at least 30 feet above sea level) or move inland to high ground. Use the 'Tsunami Evacuation Map' app to identify safe zones.
  2. 30% success If no structure is available, climb a sturdy, well-anchored tree at least 50 feet above the expected inundation height, but only as a last resort. 
    If no structure is available, climb a sturdy, well-anchored tree at least 50 feet above the expected inundation height, but only as a last resort.

中文步骤

  1. Evacuate to a designated tsunami vertical evacuation structure (e.g., a reinforced concrete building at least 30 feet above sea level) or move inland to high ground. Use the 'Tsunami Evacuation Map' app to identify safe zones.
  2. If no structure is available, climb a sturdy, well-anchored tree at least 50 feet above the expected inundation height, but only as a last resort.

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 65% fail

    Believing that concrete structures are inherently stronger than water; they are not designed for horizontal debris impact and can fail suddenly.

  2. 50% fail

    Assuming height alone is sufficient; harbor walls are typically only a few meters above sea level and within the inundation zone.

  3. 40% fail

    Misinterpreting 'tsunami-safe' signs on some modern piers as applicable to all piers; most are not rated for tsunami forces.