They all seem to have stupid grins on their faces. As if it were an amusement park.
I'm afraid those are grimaces. Probably out at the seawall watching the waves on a Sunday with their families...and were at first excited to see a really big one, realizing only too late that it was far, far too big.
People react to sudden events the way they react. A smile is often a reaction to a tense situation. They are not posing and they don't necessarily decide they should have looks of terror on their faces. If such an event hits who knows how I'll look or what I'll think and do.
I noticed that too but I bet that they don't realize the enormity of the situation, and why would they? Who would expect to be suddenly swallowed up by the ocean? It's unthinkable.
I wonder if some of the hyper-realistic video games and computer technology in movies, etc. have desensitized us to the reality of danger. Not being a fan of either, upon sight of the first wave that broke over the beach, I would have had me and everyone I was with in full-sprint mode away to high ground. I can't imagine standing there and watching it. Anything that big moves, like a large piece of glacier sheering away and splashing into the ocean, get away. It just isn't a force our puny bodies were meant to bear.
Good observation. They are grinning. Well at least according to the largest newspaper in Norway. The picture is not related to the latest Tsunami, but was taken a few years back in China where tourists are watching a tidal wave that occurs regularly and thus has become a tourist attraction. I have no idea how, but apparently none of the people in that picture even died. But, apparently the wave was a little bigger than expected so a few people got injured.
I think the location is the Qiantang river somewhere southwest of Shanghai.