15 Questions
What is a tsunami and what can cause it?
A tsunami is a series of waves caused by an earthquake, underwater volcanic eruption, landslide, or other abrupt disturbance beneath the ocean.
What is the literal meaning of the word 'tsunami'?
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.'
What event triggered a powerful tsunami in Japan in March of 2011?
A 9.0 magnitude earthquake triggered the powerful tsunami in Japan in March of 2011.
How many people were killed by the tsunami in Japan in March of 2011?
More than 15,000 people were killed by the tsunami in Japan in March of 2011.
What are the potential causes of tsunamis?
Tsunamis can be caused by earthquakes, underwater volcanic eruptions, landslides, or other abrupt disturbances beneath the ocean.
What are the effects of tsunamis on people and the environment?
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.
What can be the destructive potential of a tsunami?
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.
What can cause a tsunami?
Any action that creates an abrupt disturbance underwater, such as a volcanic eruption, landslide, meteorite, nuclear explosion, or an earthquake.
What is the most common cause of a tsunami?
An earthquake.
How does an earthquake trigger a tsunami?
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.
What is the initial wave height of a tsunami in the vast ocean?
Very small.
How wide can tsunamis span in open ocean waters?
More than 1,000 football fields.
How fast can tsunamis travel in deep ocean waters?
As fast as a jet plane.
What happens to the speed and height of a tsunami as it approaches the coastline and shallow water?
It slows in speed but builds in height.
What are some devastating effects of a tsunami?
Loss of life, severe coastal erosion, structural damage, severe flooding, and elevated risk of disease.
Test your knowledge about tsunamis and their devastating impact on coastal regions. Learn about the causes, effects, and formation of tsunamis, and understand the destructive power they possess. Discover the science behind these massive waves and their potential to wipe out entire communities.
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