Tsunami

Tsunami is a scientific term for a class of abnormal sea wave that can cause catastrophic
damage when it hits a coastline. This word comes from the Japanese word, which means harbor
(tsu) and wave (nami). Tsunamis can be generated by an undersea earthquake and landslide,
volcanic eruptions, or by the force of an asteroid crashing into the ocean. The most frequent
cause of tsunamis is an undersea earthquake.
Tsunami are caused by sudden movements of the ocean floor, due to earthquakes
landslides on the sea floor, landslumping into the ocean, large volcanic erruptions or a meteorite
crash on the ocean floor. When an earthquake, a landslide or a volcanic eruption occurs on the
sea or ocean bed a vertical jolt is created. Which displaces the bed and causes extreme tension in
water. The water is pushed upwards but gravity tries to pull it down. This causes an upsurge in
the water levels and the waves start moving away from the point of tension.
Tsunami are barely felt as a ripple on the ocean surface as the water is quite deep. But, as
and when those waves reach the land, the water becomes shallower and the waves constantly
increase in height. They hit the shore and oh my, cause a lot of destruction. It is said the first
wave of a tsunami is not the strongest but the successive waves are bigger and stronger. And
tsunamis can travel at a speed of about 500 miles per hour. Which is almost as fast as a jet plane.
And that’s why, tsunami waves are called killer waves. Tsunami wave can be less than 30 m in
height and can pass of unnoticed.
If you get stuck in a tsunami, don’t swim. Because the currents will pull you in the
opposite direction. Just hold on into a floating object and be safe.