A massive earthquake shakes the Pacific Northwest. Buildings tremble, roads split open, and the power grid collapses. But the real danger is still approaching. Within minutes, a wall of water as wide as the 700 mile Cascadia subduction zone begins racing toward the coastline. This is not a movie plot. It is a chilling prediction of what scientists say could happen to areas like Washington, Oregon, and Vancouver Island in Canada.Here is what you need to know to survive a tsunami.Understand the Force You Are FacingThe word “tsunami” means harbor wave in Japanese. These massive waves form due to undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides. The ocean floor shifts and pushes water upward, generating waves that can travel across entire oceans at speeds up to 500 miles per hour. While these waves seem small in the deep ocean, they rise into giant walls of water as they reach shallow coastal areas, sometimes flooding miles inland.The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, also known as the Boxing Day tsunami, began with a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra. Waves as high as 100 feet devastated multiple countries and killed over 230,000 people. The 2011 Japan tsunami caused more than 18,000 deaths and triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster.But among these tragedies, there were incredible survival stories that offer important takeaways.Grab Onto Anything That FloatsMaria Belón was vacationing in Thailand with her family when she heard a terrifying roar just before the tsunami struck. Swept away by a wall of water, she was battered by debris and seriously injured. She eventually spotted her son and managed to reach him. Together, they climbed a tree and were later rescued. Her story, which inspired the film The Impossible, is a reminder that grabbing onto stable or floating objects can keep you alive until help arrives.Learn the Warning Signs and Act QuicklyTsunamis are often preceded by natural warning signs, like a sudden withdrawal of water from the shore or a strange roaring sound from the ocean. If you see or hear anything unusual after an earthquake, get to high ground immediately. Seconds can make the difference.Avoid Dangerous GroundIn 2018, a tsunami struck Palu, Indonesia, following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. The village of Petobo, built on reclaimed swampland, was destroyed by liquefaction, a process where soil mixes with water and turns into a deadly wave of mud. One man, Muhlis Ipul, was buried in the mud but managed to survive by clinging to a cable and being carried to safety. Sadly, he never found his wife or children again. If possible, avoid settling in areas with known geological risks.Be Prepared and Know Your Evacuation RouteAkiko Iwasaki, a hotel owner in Kamaishi, Japan, saved many lives during the 2011 tsunami. After the earthquake hit, she followed emergency training protocols, turned off gas and power, and led guests to higher ground. When she returned to help others, she was caught in the wave but managed to survive by climbing onto a bus roof and eventually reaching safety.Her story underlines the importance of knowing your escape route ahead of time. If you live in a coastal area, identify safe zones and practice evacuation drills. Awareness and quick action save lives.Embrace TechnologyToday, tsunami detection is more advanced than ever. Devices called tsunameters sit on the ocean floor and detect changes in water pressure. These sensors relay information to monitoring stations, giving people crucial time to evacuate. Some systems can provide warnings minutes or even hours in advance.For those who cannot evacuate quickly, tsunami survival capsules are available. These floating, sealed pods can hold multiple people and are built to withstand crushing water pressure and debris. Though expensive, they are an option for people in high risk areas.Train with Virtual RealityJapan has also developed virtual reality simulators to help people practice tsunami scenarios in real time. These tools can help build muscle memory and confidence in emergency situations, making it easier to act under pressure.