Anyone in a low-lying area along the coast who feels the ground shake should first follow the "drop, cover, and hold" method to protect themselves during the earthquake. This means drop to the ground to avoid any flying objects. Find something sturdy - for example,                 Anamation Tsunami Speed
a desk or table - to get under. If nothing is handy, move close to a wall and cover your head. Hold on to the desk, table, or wall, keep down, and stay put undl the shaking stops.

     Some experts suggest getting out- side into open space away from buildings, trees, or other objects that could topple.

     Either way, as soon as the ground stops shaking, move inland and up- hill as quickly as possible, using a designated local evacuation route, if possible. Once on higher ground, wait for an official "all clear" before returning to low-lying areas.

     Even though earthquakes them- selves are unpredictable, the HMSC research with hydrophones and seismometers could lead to predictions for tsunamis caused by those earth- quakes, giving people a little more time to escape.

     Especially for those extremely rare ones close to shore.