One of the few coastal areas to evacuate ahead of the tsunami was on the Indonesian island of Simeulue , close to the epicentre . Island folklore recounted an earthquake and tsunami in 1907 , and the islanders fled to inland hills after the initial shaking and before the tsunami struck . These tales and oral folklore from previous generations may have helped the survival of the inhabitants . On Maikhao Beach in north Phuket City , Thailand , a 10-year-old British tourist named Tilly Smith had studied tsunamis in geography at school and recognised the warning signs of the receding ocean and frothing bubbles . She and her parents warned others on the beach , which was evacuated safely . John Chroston , a biology teacher from Scotland , also recognised the signs at Kamala Bay north of Phuket , taking a busload of vacationers and locals to safety on higher ground
earthquake and tsunami in 1907
1907 Sumatra earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami