A tsunami is a series of very long wavelength ocean waves caused by the sudden displacement of water by earthquakes, landslides, or submarine slumps. Ordinarily, tsunamis are produced only by earthquakes exceeding magnitude 7.5. In the open ocean, tsunami waves travel at speeds of 600-800 kilometers/hour, but their wave heights are usually only a few centimeters. As they approach shallow water near a coast, tsunami waves travel more slowly, but their wave heights may increase to many meters, and thus they can become very destructive.
A large sea wave which is produced by a submarine earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. Commonly called a tidal wave.
A seismic sea wave generated by an earthquake or underwater landslide.
A shallow water progressive wave, potentially catastrophic, caused by an underwater earthquake or volcano.
An ocean wave produced by an event at sea, like an earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. These waves may reach enormous size and have been known to travel across entire oceans.
A large wave or series of waves caused by a seaquake or underwater volcanic eruption that is capable of traveling hundreds of miles per hour and causing great destruction.
Long period ocean waves generated by geological and tectonic disturbances below sea level. Incorrectly referred to as "tidal waves", tsunami travel at speeds of up to 800 km/h in the open ocean, where they are of low height. However, tsunami can rise to a height of 10m or more through the shoaling process as they approach land.
A large wave along the sea surface triggered by an earthquake or large submarine slump.
Tsunami - A wave produced by any brief, large-scale disturbance of the ocean floor, principally by a shallow earthquake or earth movement, subsidence, or volcanic eruption; characterized by great speeds (up to 950 kilometers/hour), long wavelengths (up to 200 kilometers), long periods (generally 10-60 minutes); and low observable amplitude on the open sea, although it may rise to heights of 30 meters or more and cause much damage on an exposed coast.
Widely spaced, fast-moving ocean wave(s) most commonly initiated by sudden displacements of the sea floor during earthquakes or submarine landslides. Volcanic eruptions can also cause tsunamis if unconsolidated volcanic sediment flows rapidly or falls into the water as in a catastrophic slope failure from a steep-sided volcanic cone or edifice, or if explosive eruptions occur at or near sea level. Tsunamis are capable of inundating significant portions of the coastline, especially if the wave energy is focused by narrowing of inlets and bays.
From the Japanese "harbour wave," tsunamis are often called tidal waves, but they have nothing to do with the tides. A tsunami occurs when a marine event such as an earthquake or the Halifax Explosion causes water to rush over the shoreline.
giant sea waves generated by seismic action. As tsunamis reach the coast, they can create vast coastal and inland flooding, and often claim many lives.
Giant seismic sea swells that move rapidly from the center of an earthquake; they can be 10 to 20 meters high when they reach shorelines hundreds or even thousands of kilometers form their source.
Literally harbor wave in Japanese. Tsunamis are great sea waves produced by a submarine earthquake, volcanic eruption or large landslide. Tsunamis can cause great damage due to flooding of low coastal areas.
a sea wave that may become one or more massive waves of water as it makes landfall. It is a secondary event caused by another natural event, usually an earthquake or underwater volcanic eruption or landslide.149 Return to Top of List
Long period ocean wave generated by an earthquake or volcanic explosion; travels through deep ocean with height of a few cm and a speed of 200-300 m/s; on reaching shallow coastal regions the wave slows and grows to huge heights of potentially 60-70 m. These are often incorrectly referred to as tidal waves.
(plural tsunami) A vast sea wave caused by the sudden dropping or rising of a section of the sea floor following an earthquake. Tsunami may be as much as 30 meters high and 200 kilometers long, may move as fast as 250 kilometers per hour, and may continue to occur for as long as a few days.
a long-period sea wave produced by a volcanic eruption or earthquake that travels across the ocean for thousands of miles, building up in size and energy to become a wave of massive height; can cause a great deal of damage to coastal cities.
a huge destructive wave (especially one caused by an earthquake)
a chain of fast moving waves caused by sudden trauma in the ocean
a direct result of the displacement (either up or down) of the ocean crust at an underwater plate boundary, which in turn displaces the water above
a giant wave created by an underwater earthquake, volcano, or landslide
a giant wave, initiated by a sudden change
a giant wave of water which rolls into
a giant wave traditionally seen on the Pacific rim
a great wave originating in the ocean due to an abupt change in the ocean floor due to underwater fault rupture or landslides (typically triggered by earthquakes)
a huge movement of water produced by an undersea earthquake
a huge ocean wave caused by an underwater explosion
a huge ocean wave produced by an underwater earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption
a huge sea wave caused by earthquakes or other large-scale disturbances of the ocean floor
a huge wave that, once it reaches shore, causes unspeakable calamity
a Japanese word, which translates as "harbor wave"
a kind of wave in the ocean
a large ocean wave caused by an earthquake or undersea landslide
a large ocean wave that is caused by sudden motion on the ocean floor
a large under water wave caused by the displacement of the ocean floor or a disruption of a body of standing water
a large wave caused by an abrupt displacement of water, very similar to the ripples from a rock thrown into the water
a large wave caused by earthquakes, submarine landslides, and, infrequently, by eruptions of island volcanoes
a large wave created by an earthquake or volcanic eruption
a large wave produced by the vertical movement of the sea floor, a meteor strike or a landslide
a long-period sea wave or wave train generated by a sudden displacement of water
a long-period wave generated by ocean bottom motion during an earthquake
a movement of water extending deep below the surface, and a sloping sea floor would force huge amounts of water upward toward a shore
a natural phenomenon consisting of a series of waves generated when water in a lake or the sea is rapidly displaced on a massive scale
an earthquake under water which drives the water at the surface at a very fast speed, maybe hundreds of miles an hour
an effective transmitter of energy to areas outside the reach of the volcanic eruption itself
an ocean wave or series of waves caused by a large-scale disturbance of the ocean floor or surface that abruptly displaces a large mass of water
an open ocean wave that is generated by a sudden displacement of the sea floor
an undetectable wave that can travel thousands of miles to unleash its unbriddled power upon anyone in its path
an un-natural event for the Indian Ocean
a open ocean wave usually created by submarine earthquake
a sea wave caused by vertical displacement along an ocean fault or large underwater landslide
a sea wave created by tectonic activity like earthquakes
a sea wave generated by a geophysical process like an earthquake, volcanic eruption, or landslide under the sea or on land going into the sea
a sea wave generated by an earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption, or even by a large meteor hitting the ocean
a sea wave, (more precisely, a series of waves), of local
a sea wave of extremely long length generated by a seismic disturbance (earthquake, volcanic eruption or debris slide) below or on the ocean floor
a sea wave of local or distant origin that can be generated when the sea floor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces overlying water
a seismic-related hazard resulting from the effects of an earthquake on the sea where large amplitude sea waves may interact with coastal areas
a seismic sea wave originating from any one of several submarine geological phenomena, such as volcanic explosions
a series of both negative and positive waves, but Sri Lanka should have been hit first by a positive wave
a series of great sea waves
a series of huge waves traveling across the ocean with extremely long wavelengths up to hundreds of miles across the ocean
a series of large ocean waves, generally caused by geological disturbances
a series of large waves of extremely long wavelength and period caused by a sudden underwater disturbance that displaces a large volume of water
a series of large waves usually generated by a violent undersea disturbance
a series of large waves usually produced by sudden, violent undersea disturbances such as earthquakes or landslides
a series of ocean waves generated by a large-scale short duration disturbance of the sea surface
a series of ocean waves generated by any rapid large-scale disturbance of the sea water
a series of ocean waves generated by sudden displacements in the sea floor, landslides, or
a series of ocean waves that are generated by a large-scale disturbance of seawater
a series of ocean waves which are sometimes generated at the same time as an earthquake occurs beneath the sea floor
a series of powerful ocean waves
a series of sea waves generated by underwater earthquakes or large landslides
a series of sea waves most commonly caused by an earthquake beneath the sea floor
a series of sea waves usually caused by displacement of the ocean floor by an undersea earthquake
a series of traveling ocean waves generated by geological disturbances near the ocean floor
a series of travelling ocean waves of extremely long length and period
a series of travelling ocean waves usually caused by a large EARTHQUAKE beneath or near the ocean
a series of travelling waves generated by an earthquake below the ocean floor
a series of tremendous waves generated by a massive underwater disturbance
a series of waves and the biggest rarely come in first
a series of waves caused by an earthquake or other disturbance under the sea
a series of waves caused by violent movement of the sea floor
a series of waves created by events such as earthquakes that cause the massive displacement of water in an ocean or lake
a series of waves created by the sudden disturbance of the ocean
a series of waves formed by a disturbance in sea level over a short period of time, such as an earthquake, underwater volcanic eruption or coastal landslide
a series of waves generated by an impulsive disturbance in the ocean or in a small, connected body of water
a series of waves generated by an undersea disturbance such as an earthquake
a shallow water wave because it is as much as a couple hundred kilometers long and the sea is only a couple kilometers deep
a short-lived pulse in which the entire thickness of the ocean shifts position a small distance
a silent sub-surface wave train formed as a result of tremendous release of energy in the ocean floor due to an earthquake or volcanic eruption
a system of gravity waves formed in the sea as a result of a large-scale disturbance of sea level over a short duration of time
a traveling ocean wave that usually has its source in fairly deep water
a very different type of wave than what people surf
a very long ocean wave which is generated by a sudden displacement of the sea floor
a very long-wavelength wave of water that is generated by sudden displacement of the seafloor or disruption of any body of standing water
a water wave generated by sudden earth movements
a wave generated by a big disturbance of the sea bottom caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or other activities on the earth
a wave generated by seismic activity and as such falls outside the two categories of forces responsible for normal sea level changes, tides and the weather
a wave produced by a disturbance that displaces a large mass of water - usually a result of geologic activities such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, underwater landslides, or in rare geologic cases, meteor strikes
a wave produced by an earthquake on the sea floor
Japanese word that is used to describe huge sea-waves generated by earthquakes or violent volcanic eruptions.
Series of large waves generated by sudden displacement of seawater (caused by earthquake, volcanic eruption or submarine landslide); capable of propagation over large distances and causing a destructive surge on reaching land. The Japanese term for this phenomenon, which is observed mainly in the Pacific, has been adopted for general usage (in EM-DAT, « tsunami » is a disaster subset of the disaster type « wave/surge »).
Term for large, rapidly moving water waves caused by the displacement of water, usually by earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions. Tsunamis are also referred to as tidal waves, but they have no relation to tides.
Wave produced in a large body of water (ocean or lake) by an earthquake, volcanic eruption, or underwater landslide. Tsunamis travel rapidly across deep ocean basins (about 480 mph!) and can grow to heights of tens of meters as they enter shallow water and approach shore.
wave caused by underwater earthquake or landslide, can rise to great heights and cause catastrophic damage near coasts.
A great sea wave produced by a submarine earthquake, volcanic eruption, or large landslide.
A large wave series of waves that are caused by a sudden disturbance that displaces water. The usual cause is an earthquake, submarine landslide, volcanic eruption, or meteor impact.
large sea wave produced usually by an underwater earthquake but can also be due to volcanic eruption, landslide, explosion or meteor impact; this term is derived from Japanese word for "harbour wave" compare tidal wave
A huge sea wave caused by an underwater earthquake
Seismic sea wave caused by an earthquake, undersea landslide or volcanic eruption. Typically arrives onshore as a series of surges.
A large sea wave normally produced by sudden movement of the ocean floor caused by an earthquake or volcanic eruption. These waves can travel at high speeds across an ocean basin and cause great destruction when they reach land.
(pronounced tsoo-NAH-mee)a series of giant ocean waves caused by a large displacement of water.
A gigantic, often destructive wave, which is usually triggered by an undersea volcano or earthquake. Also referred to as a tidal wave.
A Japanese term that has been adopted to describe a large seismically generated sea wave capable of considerable destruction in certain coastal areas, especially where sub-marine earthquakes occur.
One or a series of huge sea waves caused by earthquakes or other large-scale disturbance of the ocean floor. (Referred to incorrectly by many as a tidal wave, but these waves have nothing to do with tides.) The word tsunami is Japanese, meaning 'harbor wave.'
A large wave usually caused by an earthquake or an underwater landslide. While unpredictable and unpreventable, they tend to impact certain zones or areas.
A huge wave, the result of an undersea earthquake.
An enormous ocean wave produced by an underwater earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. It is the Japanese word for “harbor wave.
A large destructive wave caused by seafloor movements in an earthquake.
A sea wave produced by an underwater earthquake or volcanic explosion.
A tsunami (also called a seismic sea wave) is a huge wave, caused by undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or, more rarely, by asteroid or meteoroid impact (as in the case of the K-T extinction).
A long-period sea wave produced by a seaquake or volcanic eruption; it may travel for thousands of miles. Also known as seismic sea wave.
An ocean wave generated by a submarine earthquake, volcano or landslide. (Also known as a seismic sea wave, and incorrectly as a tidal wave).
A wave generated by seismic activity. Also called a seismic sea wave, or erroneously a tidal wave. Barely discernible in the open ocean, the amplitude of a tsunami may increase greatly as it approaches shallow coastal waters. They typically have periods greater than 10 minutes. Storm tide recorders along the Queensland coastline have detected the effects of events in Central and South America, and from the 2004 Asian Tsunami. More information on tsunamis can be found at http://ioc.unesco.org/itsu
a long-period gravity wave generated by a submarine earthquake or volcanic event
A sea wave of local or distant origin that results from large-scale seafloor displacements associated with large earthquakes, major submarine slides, or exploding volcanic islands.
A Japanese word made up from two characters. The character ‘tsu' means harbour and the character ‘nami' means wave. A tsunami occurs as a series of travelling ocean waves of extremely long wavelength and is triggered by large disturbances such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or deep sea landslides.
A swift sea wave of great height resulting from an earthquake.
a large ocean wave usually caused by an underwater earthquake or a volcanic explosion
a great sea wave produced by an earthquake or volcano eruption under the sea and also known as a tidal wave
Great sea wave produced by submarine earth movement or volcanic eruption.
A very large and destructive ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake
Large seismic waves produced by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or underwater landslides (also called tidal waves).
An ocean wave produced by a submarine earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. These waves may reach enormous dimensions and have sufficient energy to travel across entire oceans. Tsunamis have no connection with tides; the popular name of "Tidal Wave" is entirely misleading.
A Japanese term derived from the characters "tsu" meaning harbor and "nami" meaning wave. Now generally accepted by the international scientific community to describe a series of travelling waves in water produced by the displacement of the sea floor associated with submarine earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.
A Japanese term which has been universally adopted to describe a large seismically generated sea wave which is capable of considerable destruction in certain coastal areas, especially where underwater earthquakes occur. Although in the open ocean the wave height may be less than 1 m, it steepens to heights of 15 m or more on entering shallow water. They have been incorrectly referred to as tidal waves.
An ocean wave with a long period that is formed by an underwater earthquake or landslide, or volcanic eruption. It may travel unnoticed across the ocean for thousands of miles from its point of origin and builds up to great heights over shallower water. Also known as a seismic sea wave, and incorrectly, as a tidal wave.
Seismic sea waves of long period produced by either a submarine earthquake, a debris avalanche or an underwater volcanic eruption.
(Japanese for "Harbour Wave"). A series of huge ocean waves caused by a rapid, large-scale disturbance of the sea water, such as a major earthquake beneath the seabed that causes large vertical movements. In deep water, Tsunami waves are less than a metre high, but they can travel at speeds exceeding 800 kilometres per hour and can easily cross an entire ocean basin. When they reach shallow water or narrow inlets the waves slow down and the height can build into a wall of water which causes devastation on the shore. More info on tsunamis
Large ocean wave created from an earthquake or volcanic eruption. Open ocean wave height may be as high as 1 meter. When entering shallow coastal waters, land configuration can amplify waves to heights of over 15 meters.
A tsunami is a rare, giant wave that is caused by an underwater earthquake or other large-scale, underwater disturbance.
(pronounced sue-NAHM-ee) A tsunami is a huge wave, caused by undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or, more rarely, by asteroid or meteoroid impact (as in the case of the K-T extinction).