Tsunami

A tsunami is a large ocean wave that is caused by sudden motion on the ocean floor. This sudden motion could
be an earthquake, a powerful volcanic eruption, or an underwater landslide. The impact of a
large meteorite could also cause a tsunami. Tsunamis travel across the open ocean at great speeds and build into
large deadly waves in the shallow water of a shoreline. The most common cause of a tsunami is an earthquake. If
an earthquake happens underwater, the seafloor lifts and then drops back down, causing the overlying water to
be displaced and triggering waves of water.

The effects of a tsunami on a coastline can range from unnoticeable to devastating. The effects of a tsunami
depend on the characteristics of the seismic event that generated the tsunami. The amount of energy and water
contained in a huge tsunami can cause extreme destruction when it strikes land. One of the biggest and worst
effects of a tsunami is the cost to human life because unfortunately escaping a tsunami is nearly impossible.
Hundreds and thousands of people are killed by tsunamis. A tsunami changes the landscape. It uproots trees and
plants and destroys animal habitats such as nesting sites for birds. Land animals are killed by drowning and sea
animals are killed by pollution if dangerous chemicals are washed away into the sea, thus poisoning the marine
life.

Source: geology.com , www.sms-tsunami.com