The Power of Tsunamis

A tsunami is a series of waves caused by an earthquake, underwater volcanic eruption, landslide, or other abrupt disturbance beneath the ocean.

The word 'tsunami' comes from the Japanese language. The prefix 'tsu' means 'harbor' and the suffix 'nami' means 'wave.' Therefore, the word literally means 'harbor wave.'

A 9.0 magnitude earthquake triggered the powerful tsunami in Japan in March of 2011.

<p>More than 15,000 people were killed by the tsunami in Japan in March of 2011.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Tsunamis can be caused by earthquakes, underwater volcanic eruptions, landslides, or other abrupt disturbances beneath the ocean.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Tsunamis can cause massive devastation when they hit land, wiping out entire coastal towns and causing loss of life. They can also cause billions of dollars in damage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Tsunamis have the potential to create a giant wall of water that can wipe out entire coastal towns and cause the death of hundreds of thousands of people caught in its path.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Any action that creates an abrupt disturbance underwater, such as a volcanic eruption, landslide, meteorite, nuclear explosion, or an earthquake.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>An earthquake.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The shifting of the earth's crust underwater causes the seafloor to lift and then drop, displacing the overlying water and triggering waves of water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Very small.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>More than 1,000 football fields.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>As fast as a jet plane.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It slows in speed but builds in height.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Loss of life, severe coastal erosion, structural damage, severe flooding, and elevated risk of disease.</p> Signup and view all the answers