Signs & Symbols


• ISO
• Information
• Zones, Routes
• ITSU

Information Boards

Information Boards can be used to provide the public with information related to tsunamis and their impact.  Useful information might be on the science of tsunamis, tsunami warnings and evacuation, & how the public should respond, and/or on the local tsunami history & past photos of tsunami impact.

Other examples of tsunami signs can be found in the 2007 New Zealand National Tsunami Signage Recommendations for Civil Defense and Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups report by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS Science Report 2007/40).


To download, click on a link and when the image appears on the page right click on it and select Save Picture As.

Indonesia Tsunami Billboard Indonesia Tsunami Billboard New Zealand Tsunami Information Board
Tsunami Billboard
Indonesia
Tsunami Billboard
Indonesia
Tsunami Information Board
New Zealand

Indonesia Tsunami Billboard        
Historical Tsunami Sign
Oregon, USA
       

Evacuation Zones, Routes and Assembly

Evacuation Zones, Routes, and Assembly signs show the locations of the zones to be evacuated during a tsunami warning, give  instructions, directions, or routes for evacuation, and identify assembly areas.

Other examples of tsunami signs can be found in the 2007 New Zealand National Tsunami Signage Recommendations for Civil Defense and Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups report by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS Science Report 2007/40).


Examples from different countries (listed in alphabetical order).  To download, click on a link and when the image appears on the page right click on it and select Save Picture As.

Chile Evacuation Route Chile Risk Zone Chile Secure Zone
Tsunami Evacuation
Route Sign
Chile
Tsunami Risk Zone Sign
Chile
Tsunami Secure Zone Sign
Chile
Indonesia Evacuation Route  Indonesia Evacuation Route  Indoneisa Evacuation Spot

Tsunami Evacuation Route
Sign Template
Indonesia

Tsunami Evacuation 
Route Sign
Indonesia

Tsunami Evacuation
Spot Sign
Indonesia
ISO-approved Tsunami Hazard sign Japan Tsunami Safe Place  Japan Tsunami Evacuation Building 
Tsunami Hazard Zone Sign
ISO-approved sign, Japan 
Tsunami Evacuation
Area Sign
ISO-approved sign, Japan
Tsunami Evacuation
Building Sign
ISO-approved sign, Japan
New Zealand Tsunami Evacuation Zone New Zealand Tsunami Evacuation Zone Orange 
Tsunami Evacuation
Zone Sign
New Zealand
Tsunami Evacuation
Zone Orange Sign
New Zealand
New Zealand Tsunami Safe Location  New Zealand Tsunami Safe Zone 
Tsunami Safe Location Sign
New Zealand
Tsunami Safe Zone Sign
New Zealand
Hawaii, USA Entering Tsunami Evacuation Area Hawaii, USA LeavingTsunami Evacuation Area 
Entering Tsunami Evacuation Area Sign
Hawaii, USA
Leaving Tsunami Evacuation Area Sign
Hawaii, USA
Hawaii, USA Entering Tsunami Evacuation Area  Hawaii, USA Leaving Tsunami Evacuation Area 
Entering Tsunami Evacuation Area Sign
Hawaii, USA
Leaving Tsunami Evacuation Area Sign
Hawaii, USA
Washington, USA Tsunami Hazard Zone Sign  USA Tsunami Evacuation Route Sign Evacuation Shelter Sign, Alaska, USA  
Tsunami Hazard Zone Sign
Washington, USA
 
Tsunami Evacuation
Route Sign
USA
Evacuation Shelter Sign
Alaska, USA

International Tsunami Signs - ISO-approved (2008)

In 2008, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) approved international signage for tsunami hazard zones, evacuation areas and evacuation buildings. ISO 20712 on water safety signs and beach safety flags provides guidance on safety signs that provide information about aquatic hazards and the action necessary to avoid those hazards, including signage for tsunami hazard areas.The shape and colour required for safety signs, together with the corresponding graphical symbols, are prescribed by ISO 3864-1 and ISO 3864-3, respectively, on design standards for safety signs and graphical symbols. ISO 20712-1:2008 was developed by ISO technical committee 145, Graphical symbols, subcommittee 2, Safety identification, signs, shapes, symbols and colour. To purchase ISO 20712-1:2008 and ISO 20712-2:2008, click here.

Other examples of tsunami signs can be found in the 2007 New Zealand National Tsunami Signage Recommendations for Civil Defense and Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups report by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS Science Report 2007/40).

In New Zealand in 2008, the Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management issued its National Tsunami Signage Technical Standard for the CDEM Sector (CDEM TS 01/08).  Signage is assisting in the execution of evacuation plans and is working alongside public education and response planning to strengthen tsunami risk management.   By designating a national standard for signage consistency and placement across New Zealand, it hopes to maximize recognition and understanding by both national travelers and international tourists.

To download, click on a link and when the image appears on the page right click on it and select Save Picture As.

Tsunami Hazard Zone Sign Tsunami Evacuation Area Sign  Tsunami Evacuation Building 
Tsunami Hazard Zone Sign Tsunami Evacuation
Area Sign
Tsunami Evacuation
Building Sign



  NZ Tsunami Signage: 2007 GNS Science Report and Recommendations

  NZ Tsunami Signage: Technical Standard

 

International Tsunami Signs - ITSU (2003)

The following tsunami signs were adopted by the 19th Session of ITSU (2003)

Tsunami Hazard Zone

tsunami hazard zone

Click on image to download full size image. (44 KB)

Tsunami Evacuation Route

tsunami evacuation zone

Click on image to download full size image. (86 KB)

ITSU-XIX said:

(Agenda Item 3.7 WORKING GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL TSUNAMI SIGNS AND SYMBOLS)

The Group accepted the “Tsunami Hazard Zone” and “Tsunami Evacuation Route” signs.

Several Member States pointed out that the use of the colour blue for a warning sign was not appropriate. The Group decided that guidance on colours should be obtained from the ISO (International Standards Organization).

The Group expressed concern over the use of text on the signs, as this would require careful translation of the text into many languages. However, it was recognized that, without text, the signs would be difficult to interpreted by the public.

The Group accepted the use of text on the signs that in their English language versions read “Tsunami Hazard Zone” and “Tsunami Evacuation Route”, but requested all Member States to submit to the IOC Secretariat, by March 2004, the language versions of the text strings for both signs in all official (and other appropriate) languages for their country.

The Group requested the Executive Secretary IOC to submit a proposal for the agreed tsunami signs to the ISO, including the different language versions, as received from Member States, and to request advice from the ISO on colour schemes.

The Group decided that there is no need to have an internationally recognized sign for “Tsunami Refuge Zone”.

The Group tasked the ITIC Director to distribute information on the adopted signs widely upon their approval by the ISO.

The Group, considering that the ad hoc Working Group had successfully finalized its work, accepted its report with the modifications made by the ICG/ITSU at its Nineteenth Session, and disbanded the Working Group.

 

PDF Icon  Report of ad hoc Working Group on International Tsunami Signs and Symbols,
          September 2003 (Capt. Hugo Gorziglia, Past Chairman ICG/ITSU)

 

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