A Chinese language booklet on tsunami is now available for free at the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). Tsunami - The Great Waves is a translation of the English booklet published by the International Tsunami Information Centre. The centre comes under the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. Translated by China's National Marine Environment Forecasting Centre and the HKO, the Chinese version describes in simple terms the characteristics of giant ocean waves caused by earthquakes, underwater volcanic eruptions or other physical phenomena. The booklet also focuses on the early warning systems that are already in place and precautions to take during such a natural disaster. HKO senior scientific officer Wong Wing-tak said although there was only a small chance of Hong Kong being affected by a destructive tsunami, the public might travel to high-risk places. It would be sensible for them to have a better understanding of the phenomenon, the HKO official said. The booklet can be obtained at the HKO resource centre at Unit 2304-2409, 23/F, Miramar Tower, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. An electronic version can be downloaded from www.weather . gov.hk/publica/gen_pub/great_waves_tc_2006.pdf
