US West Coast City Using New Tsunami Refuge

vertical – adj. positioned up and down rather than from side to side: going straight up

vertical evacuation – n. a way to provide "high ground" for communities that lack natural and accessible high ground. (typically, in the event of a tsunami warning).

absorb – v. to prevent (something harmful or unwanted) from passing through

mound – n. an artificial bank or hill of earth or stones; a rounded hill or natural formation