The word “tsunami” alone can send a chill down your spine. Now imagine seeing a 15 to 52-meter-high wall of water speeding toward you.
Most of us would instinctively run from such a threat. But Elisa Lahcene? She’s running toward it — metaphorically, of course — and with good reason.
“It’s because it has taken so many lives,” Lahcene says. “And that gives me more motivation to work toward preventing this natural disaster from taking more.”
Her solution? Tsunami science.
Elisa Lancene participating in snorkelling trips as part of her degree. Source: Elisa Lahcene
The Maldives, coral reefs, climate change, and hope
Tsunamis are notoriously unpredictable. We can’t say precisely when or where the next one will hit. However, thanks to tsunami science, researchers like Lahcene are finding ways to mitigate their impact — and perhaps even save lives.
“My PhD was based on the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami,” explains Lahcene, who recently completed a PhD in Tsunami Science.
“I focused on the Maldives because, first, there’s not much research on the islands. Second, I wanted to see if the coral reef systems there could reduce the impact of future tsunamis. And third, I wanted to understand how climate change might worsen the devastation.”
The Maldives were among the many countries severely affected by the 2004 tsunami. According to the United Nations of Maldives, the disaster claimed 82 lives, left 26 missing, and displaced over 15,000 people.
While the country has recovered over the years, the looming reality of climate change continues to raise concerns. If another tsunami were to strike, the damage could be far worse than before.
This is where coral reefs come in. The Maldives depends heavily on fishing and tourism, two industries that rely on healthy reefs.
The coral reef systems of the Maldives are the seventh largest in the world. Source: AFP
“Everyone wants to dive here,” Lahcene says. “Without coral reefs, the islands would be much less attractive.”
And it’s not just about looks. Reefs provide vital habitats and breeding grounds for fish, supporting the island’s economy and food supply.
Just look at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. When parts of it were damaged, fish populations plummeted, dropping by 33% to 72% depending on the location. The number of fish species fell too, by 41% to 75%, according to a study by JCU TropWATER.
“Research I’ve done shows that in the Maldives, coral reefs serve as natural barriers against large wave events,” Lahcene says. “They’re a crucial resource for both protection and the economy.”
But rising sea levels may weaken that protection. As the ocean deepens, waves interact less with the reefs, reducing the friction that helps break their force. If a tsunami hits, the waves will arrive with more power and reach farther inland.
That’s why Lahcene’s work matters. By understanding how natural systems, such as coral reefs, interact with tsunami waves — and how climate change alters those systems — she’s helping to shape a better, more resilient coastal defence.
So, how exactly does tsunami science save lives?
Between 1998 and 2017, tsunamis resulted in over 250,000 deaths worldwide. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami alone accounted for about 227,000 of those, according to the World Health Organisation.
More recently, the 2022 Tonga tsunami caused nearly US$118 million in damages and claimed six lives across Tonga and Peru. Its effects were felt as far away as New Zealand, Chile, and California
Fortunately for the world, science is catching up.
Thanks to advances in tsunami detection, researchers now use a combination of seismic sensors, deep-sea pressure gauges, and satellite data to detect undersea earthquakes and sea-level shifts that could signal a tsunami.
This data is sent in real time to global warning centres, which then alert coastal communities. That heads-up — sometimes just minutes — can give people enough time to reach higher ground and escape the worst.
Tsunami science also plays a crucial role in planning and infrastructure development. Engineers can use historical data to design buildings that allow water to flow through, rather than being knocked down. Cities can map out efficient evacuation routes. Even nature lends a hand — coastal mangroves, for example, help absorb the energy of incoming waves.
Lahcene and her cohort working on corals. Source: Elisa Lahcene
Thinking of studying tsunami science? Study it in Japan
Japan knows a thing or two about tsunamis — and earthquakes, for that matter. The country experiences at least one tsunami every year, on average.
It’s also one of the most prepared countries in the world, with advanced early warning systems, seawalls, and widespread community drills.
“People there are really aware of the risks — not just scientists or professors, but everyday citizens,” Lahcene says. “Japan has a lot of prevention strategies that we don’t have in France. So for me, studying there just made sense.”
Born and raised in France, Lahcene didn’t grow up with tsunamis on her radar. The last significant one in her region occurred in 1979, decades ago. It wasn’t until her master’s degree in Coastal Engineering at the University of Montpellier that her interest was sparked.
“I started working on the 2018 Palu and Sunda Strait tsunamis,” she says. “That’s when I realised — what I’m researching could actually shape policy and save lives. That was it. I knew I had to keep going.”
Tohoku University played a significant role in research and recovery efforts following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. Source: Tohoku University
Her academic path led her to Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, ranked #109 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and one of the top public universities in the country.
“Sendai was completely devastated by the 2011 tsunami,” Lahcene shares. “But now it’s rebuilt and thriving. That kind of resilience is inspiring.”
Long story short: if you want to learn how to face tsunamis head-on, study in a place that’s been doing it for centuries. Japan’s history of earthquake-resistant construction, early warnings, and community awareness stretches back over a thousand years.
Australian geology student Adinda Peyra agrees with this as well, saying “I decided to go to Japan, where the development of infrastructure is ahead of others, and the support for science is very strong too.”
It’s no wonder Lahcene decided to pack up and move halfway across the world in April 2022 to pursue her PhD.
Now back in France, Lahcene continues to use her expertise — but with a new twist.
“We researchers are now working with France’s civil protection team for the first time in history,” she says. “We’re trying to understand better how intense natural disasters, like hurricanes and typhoons, impact vulnerable communities — and how we can make evacuations faster and smoother.”
