the last tsunami that rocked the world

Tsunamis are one of the deadliest natural disasters, they can cause enormous damage in a matter of minutes. One of the most recent tsunamis that rocked the world occurred on September 28 2018, when an earthquake measuring 7.5 rocked the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. This earthquake triggered a tsunami that hit the cities of Palu and Donggala, resulting in thousands of lives lost and huge material losses. This earthquake occurred under the sea, about 80 kilometers from Palu, and produced tsunami waves that rose as high as 6 meters. Many factors contribute to the strength of a tsunami, including the depth of the earthquake and the shape of the surrounding seabed. When the tsunami hit, many buildings collapsed, infrastructure was destroyed, and people were trapped in the rubble. The speed of tsunami waves can reach 800 km/hour in the open ocean, but as they approach the coast, these waves slow down but increase in height. In Palu, the direct impact of the tsunami destroyed buildings, bridges and public facilities. Many people, including tourists on vacation, don’t have time to escape. Some areas were even reported to have experienced liquefaction, where the soil changed its properties due to earthquake vibrations, so that buildings became trapped in mud. Rapid response from governments and humanitarian organizations is critical in disaster situations. Rescue teams and volunteers were quickly deployed to search for victims, set up evacuation posts, and distribute food and medical aid. However, access to remote areas is often hampered by damaged infrastructure. This tsunami reflects the importance of early warning systems and community preparedness in facing natural disasters. Even though Indonesia has long experience in dealing with earthquakes and tsunamis, there are still gaps in education and training for citizens. Implementation of the latest technology in monitoring seismic activity and regular training for local communities can reduce the impact of future disasters. In 2019, the Indonesian government started an educational campaign to increase public awareness about the dangers of disasters. These steps include evacuation simulations and education about what to do when an earthquake and tsunami occurs. Research continues to understand the pattern and potential of tsunami waves, including computer modeling to predict wave paths and characteristics. The tsunami incident in Sulawesi was a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of human courage and unity in overcoming disasters. Through better preventive and responsive efforts, the hope is to minimize losses and maintain community safety in the future. Natural disasters cannot be completely avoided, but community preparedness and resilience can save many lives.