Unravel the Mystery of Tsunamis

volcanic eruptions, landslides, meteorites, earthquakes

because they are usually triggered by a sudden displacement of ocean water

up to 600 miles per hour

it slows down, raises its height, and crashes over the coastline

a tsunami wave doesn't crest and break, it moves forward like a solid wall of water

Japan

the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004

the energy equivalent of 23,000 Hiroshima-type atomic bombs

to alert vulnerable coastlines and give residents time to seek higher ground before a tsunami hits

to alert vulnerable coastlines and give residents time to seek higher ground before a tsunami hits

Tsunami = Sudden displacement of ocean water like volcanic eruptions, landslides, meteorites, or earthquakes Hurricane = Formation of a low-pressure system over warm ocean waters Tornado = Violent rotating column of air in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud Earthquake = Sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves

Japanese Tsunami = Struck in 2011 and claimed nearly 16,000 lives Indian Ocean Tsunami = Occurred in 2004 and is believed to be the deadliest, killing over 220,000 people Unpredictable Tsunami = Can strike with little warning due to its various causes Deep Ocean Tsunami = Usually a typical tsunami wave is barely noticeable and poses little threat

Tsunami Wave = Moves forward like a solid wall of water that crashes over the coastline Ordinary Wave = Crests and breaks Deep Ocean Tsunami Wave = Barely noticeable and poses little threat Shoreline Tsunami Wave = Slowed down and its height raised by the waves friction against the shallower floor

2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami = Traveled over 3,000 miles Deep Ocean Tsunami = Can spread out thousands of miles Shoreline Tsunami = Reaches the shore with a height of up to 100 feet Tsunami Warning Centers = Monitor underwater earthquakes large enough to trigger massive waves over long distances

Tsunami = Can travel across the ocean at speeds up to 600 miles per hour Jetliner = The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami traveled at the speed of a Ordinary Wave = Does not travel as fast as a tsunami Deep Ocean Tsunami = Usually moves at a speed that is barely noticeable

2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami = Released the energy equivalent of 23,000 Hiroshima type atomic bombs Volcanic Eruption = Can be a cause of a tsunami due to the sudden displacement of ocean water Earthquake = One of the most common culprits in the formation of a tsunami Tsunami Warning Centers = Constantly monitoring underwater earthquakes that can release massive amounts of energy

Alert Vulnerable Coastlines = Tsunami Warning Centers Seek Higher Ground = Resident in a coastline area when a tsunami warning is issued Monitor Underwater Earthquakes = Tsunami Warning Centers Minimize Impact of Tsunamis = Efforts made by governments and organizations in vulnerable areas

Japan = A country that sits on a geographic location that makes it an easy target for tsunamis Indian Ocean = Location of the 2004 deadliest tsunami Pacific Ocean = Frequent occurrence of tsunamis due to the Ring of Fire Coastal Areas = Usually the most vulnerable to the impact of a tsunami

Unpredictable Phase = Tsunamis can strike with little warning Destructive Phase = Tsunami wave moves forward like a solid wall of water that crashes over the coastline Receding Phase = Tsunami wave drags everything back to the ocean Multiple Waves Phase = Tsunamis have multiple waves which can continue to hit the shore for several hours

Struck by a Tsunami = Japan in 2011, which claimed nearly 16,000 lives Deadliest Tsunami = Indian Ocean in 2004, killing over 220,000 people Tsunami Wave Height = Can be as tall as 100 feet when it reaches the shore Tsunami Energy Release = The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami released the energy equivalent of 23,000 Hiroshima type atomic bombs