Tsunamis rank among the most destructive phenomena and have been responsible for some of the worst disasters in human history. The damage potential of tsunamis is measured on a "Scale of Tsunami Intensity" developed by UNESCO in 1978.

How to recognize a past tsunami event?
Since a sea wave is the cause of coastal flooding, it leaves behind its signature on the coastline in the form of sediments, called tsunami deposits. Identification and mapping of these sedimentary deposits and determination of their ages have enabled geologist to reconstruct paleoseismic histories (time period of significance to humans) of many areas worldwide. Mapping of tsunami deposits inland is the most reliable way to determine the extent of tsunami run up distances. Age determinations of tsunami deposits facilitates an extension of the seismic history of a region beyond historic times and forms a basis for determining tsunami return times with confidence. This type of research would be very rewarding in Jamaica.

Tsunamis have often been associated with unusual phenomenon. It has been reported that sea glowed brilliantly at night in Japan during 1933 tsunami event, a result of stimulation of vast numbers of the luminescent organism Noctiluca miliaris. Also, fishermen in Japan have reported that sardines caught during tsunami events often have swollen stomachs, having swallowed bottom –living organisms which were raised to surface by disturbances on the sea floor.
The science of tsunamis is a relatively new scientific discipline dating back to some 50 years.