Understanding Tsunamis: Formation, Speed, and Impact

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What are Tsunamis?
Tsunamis (pronounciation: soo-ná-mees), are a progression or series of huge and gigantic waves formed by underwater disturbances such as • Landslides
• Earthquakes
• Volcanic eruptions
• Meteorites Tsunamis are also called “Seismic sea waves.” A tsunami can move hundreds of miles per hour in the open sea and crash into the land with waves as high as 100 feet or more.
The Word
The word “Tsunami” has been derived from the Japanese language meaning “harbor wave,” due to the devastating effects these waves have had on low-lying Japanese coastal communities.
Speed of Tsunamis
The speed of tsunami waves relies upon ocean depth rather than the distance from the source of the wave. Tsunami waves may travel as fast as jet planes over profound waters, only slowing down when reaching shallow waters.
Size of Tsunamis
From the region where the tsunami forms, waves travel outward in all directions. Once the wave approaches the shore, it builds in height. The geography of the coastline and the ocean floor affects the size of the wave. …show more content…

What damage can tsunamis do?
The impact of a tsunami is usually limited to coastal areas but the destruction could be immense. Buildings and anything in the path of the waves is in danger of being destroyed and washed away, such is the force of the wave. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which struck off the west coast of Indonesia with a magnitude of 9.1-9.3, left 250,000 people killed or missing in 14 different countries including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.
More Tsunamis in the Pacific than the Atlantic Ocean
Tsunamis occur more frequently in the Pacific Ocean as compared to the Atlantic Ocean. The main reason behind this is the “Ring of Fire.”
The Ring of

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