The Tsunami Singalong.
An educational animated singalong for kids to learn what to do, (and not do), during a Tsunami alert.
Available in English and Spanish (Castellano).
“Tsunami” the singalong.
“Tsunami” is a catchy animated singalong produced by Goat Knight with easy to follow instructions on how to survive a Tsunami. The purpose is to create awareness among children (and their parents), living in or visiting Tsunami risk zones.
The animation begins with friendly and colorful characters singing on the beach when suddenly, the earth shakes and the water begins to retrieve. If the water retrieves, it means that a wave is coming. Throughout the song our little characters find themselves in dangerous tsunami scenarios. Those who take the correct steps, survive. Those who don’t, drown, get squished, or are taken away by the wave. Kids have a morbid sense of humor, but don’t worry, all of our characters re-unite at the end of the video and patiently wait for help.
The song was created in both English and Spanish (Castellano).
The reason behind the project.
Our company, Goat Knight, recently produced a documentary about the tsunami risk in Southwest Europe. Ready for the Tsunami? (¿Preparados para el Tsunami?) is a 1-hour science and technology documentary that explains what causes large earthquakes and tsunamis, uncovers new historical evidence revealing their frequency, and explores world innovations that can keep us safe. After having interviewed a multitude of experts, we decided to create a singalong for kids teaching what to do and not do if a Tsunami alert happens. I’d like to share it with you. According to the U.N., 40% of the world’s population lives within 100 km of the coastline (source). Education and awareness can mean the difference between life and death.
40% of the world’s population lives within 100 km of the coastline.
After having lived in California for over 10 years, our research on Tsunami Preparedness programs in the Iberian Peninsula made me realize that the general population and representatives have an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude in Spain. Unlike in places like California, Italy, or Japan, where frequent small earthquakes are a reminder of larger ones to come, people in Southwest Europe only feel large earthquakes that happen every few decades (or even centuries). The dangerous faults off the Iberian Peninsula are about 300 km from the mainland and 4000 meters deep underwater. So, although we are living in an era during which a tsunami could occur at any moment, people are not informed to take it seriously, or even know about it.
I was surprised by the lack of interest in prevention measures. We found resistance, for example, to install sirens, as they may scare people. There was an unwillingness to include visible information about evacuation routes, so as not to frighten tourists. After reviewing drills and evacuation plans in countries like Chile and Japan, Spain’s avoidance seemed worrisome.
The difference between preparing and not doing so is comparable to losing 1 in 4 lives versus 1 in 30.
Preparedness makes a huge difference. Japan is one of the most prepared countries in the world for tsunami risks. So much so that the word tsunami comes to us from the Japanese language. Science journals estimate that about 3% of the population perished in the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. About 18,000 people. This includes Fukushima casualties. In comparison, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami resulted in an estimated 230,000 deaths. That’s 28% of the population in the risk zone. In other words, the difference between preparing and not doing so is comparable to losing 1 in 4 lives versus 1 in 30.
The 2011 5.1 Mw earthquake in Lorca (southeastern Spain), killed 9 people. People died because they didn’t know to hide under a hard surface (e.g. a table) during the quake. Those who ran outside in panic were killed by fallen debris. While “duck, cover, and hold on” is ingrained in the minds of Californians from a very young age, here in Spain, as in many other countries, it is not common knowledge, resulting in unnecessary fatalities.
For every 1 euro spent on prevention, 7 are gained in construction.
There are those here in Spain and Portugal who are pushing to create Tsunami awareness. Small towns are taking steps to put together Tsunami alert plans. Economists claim that for every 1 euro spent on prevention, 7 are gained in construction. Unfortunately, there is significant resistance from the part of shortsighted persons of influence. It’s a challenge for elected leaders to think long-term beyond electoral cycles, or for industry to think beyond quarter reports.
People often have a “it won’t happen to me” attitude. I do it myself, every time I get into a car or plane. I assume I will arrive safely at my destination. At the same time, however, I know the safety measures on a plane by heart. I use the seatbelt in the car without thinking twice. I know that the hotel I stay at has an evacuation plan on the door or in the hallway should a fire occur. These safety measures have been drilled into my head from a young age. I feel safer in a car with airbags, even if I do not plan to crash. While I hope that I can skip as many misfortunes as possible in my life, I find comfort in knowing competent professionals have put security measures in place should the unwanted become a reality.
We know there have been between 9 to 14 tsunamis in the past 9,000 years in the Iberian Peninsula. The great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 is the greatest tsunami event registered in Europe (the earthquake was between 8.5 Mw and 9.2 Mw). It’s estimated that between 50,000 and 100,000 perished (in the XVIII century, a time when population density was much smaller than now). In 1908 the Messina earthquake caused a tsunami that killed an estimated 80,000 people in Italy. In 563 AD a landslide caused a lake tsunami in Geneva, Switzerland, flooding the entire old city. Although the phenomenon is infrequent, it is reoccurring. Continents move, sometimes abruptly. It’s the educational system’s responsibility to remind us of our history for a safer future.
I believe Spain is not the only country that does not put sufficient funds into education and prevention when it comes to extreme events like tsunamis.
Education saves lives. Here is an example: A British child by the name of Tilly Smith learned about tsunamis in school. Smith recognized the signs of a tsunami when she found herself in Thailand during the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. Her warning saved the lives of many people who otherwise wouldn’t have known to leave the beach or evacuate to higher ground. Tilly Smith was 10 years old at the time.
Whether you live by the coast, go to the beach every summer, or happen to be in a Tsunami risk zone once in your lifetime, you deserve to know what to do should circumstances turn dangerous. I hope to push at least one or two of you to find out whether your government has safety measures and education programs installed. If they do not, demand for improvement. Most of you will probably never see a tsunami in your life, then again there are those like Louis Godin who lived through two (Peru 1746 and Lisbon 1755).
The Test.
We tested the Tsunami Singalong at CEIP La Inmaculada, an elementary school in Cádiz, (southern Spain). This school is particularly vulnerable to Tsunamis as it’s positioned close to the coast and stands below sea level.
The kids memorized the words quickly and enjoyed a fun and memorable learning experience. The children even made drawings of the dos and don’ts. In under 3 minutes, this group of students gained a basic understanding of how to act should they ever face a Tsunami alert in their lifetime.
The Tsunami song was created in both English and Spanish (Castellano). We hope it helps create awareness beyond Southwest Europe. I hope you enjoy it, and perhaps even sing along. If a tsunami were to ever come your way, you’ll know what to do.
Lyrics
TSUNAMI (English)
A tsunami is coming
A tsunami is coming
A tsunami is coming, a tsunami is coming, a tsunami is coming our way
Don’t get in your car
Don’t go riding your bike
Seek the higher ground
Protect your precious life
Keep calm and stay away
from the coast, rivers and waterways
(repeat chorus)
Have a plan to evacuate
to the safest place nearest you
Help others that are in need
Don’t you stop to watch or view
And when you can call your family
Listen to the tv or the radio news
(repeat chorus)
Have an evacuation plan
Keep a backpack with an emergency bag
Designate a meeting place
that’s safe for you and your family
A tsunami is coming
A tsunami is coming
A tsunami is coming, a tsunami is coming, a tsunami is coming our way
A tsunami is coming
A tsunami is coming
A tsunami is coming, a tsunami is coming, a tsunami is coming your way
Coming your way
Coming your way
TSUNAMI (Spanish/Castellano)
Un tsunami viene
Un tsunami se acerca
El tsunami viene, el tsunami se acerca, el tsunami viene aquí
Hay que evitar
ir en bicicleta y coger el coche
Búscate un lugar
lejos de la costa y de ríos
Sin más, cálmate
Busca un lugar alto y protégete
(coro)
Ten un plan para evacuar
al lugar más seguro y cercano a ti
Ayúda a los que veas mal
No te pares a curiosear
A tu familia llama en cuanto puedas
Oye las noticias en televisión
(coro)
Al lugar de reunión
lleva una mochila con un botiquín
Hay que preparar un plan de acción
para emergencias y seguridad
Un tsunami viene
Un tsunami se acerca
El tsunami viene, el tsunami se acerca, el tsunami viene aquí
Un tsunami viene
Un tsunami se acerca
El tsunami viene
El tsunami se acerca
El tsunami viene aquí
Viene aquí
Viene aquí
Watch the video.
This is a Goat Knight initiative, without TV networks involved. Inspired by the good work done by so many before us, this is our way to contribute to a safer and more resilient society.
Credits:
Directed by El Ogorodova
Produced by Goat Knight S.L.
Lyrics and composition by Jeff Espinoza
Music mixed by Carlos Sartorius
Vocals by Elisabeth Gray
Illustration and animation by Pablo Navas Gallego
Thank you to Erik Martínez Westley for proofreading this article.
TLTR: I am sharing a Singalong for children to learn about what to do and not to do during a Tsunami alert. After producing a documentary about the risk of a tsunami in Spain, I felt that there was a gap in the education system, causing an entire nation to grow up unaware of basic safety measures.
