Deltanine

There has been much talk and speculation about the ability of animals to sense the approach of the tsunami and escape. Whilst I am largely skeptical of this ability I do have a theory for the behavior of animals such as the elephants who reportedly uprooted their tethers and ignored their owners wishes to run to escape to higher ground.

My theory is that the earthquake and/or the tsunami generated significant infra-sound. These are extremely low frequency waves below the range of human perception, however animals such as elephants use infra-sound to communicate over long distances. Elephants and other animals that can perceive infra-sound would hear the tsunami approaching, and run in fear.

Anyway, that is my theory. I offer no evidence for it as I'm not a seismologist or anything, but I'd be interested to hear from anyone qualified in the subject.