A tsunami is a series of waves in a water body caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, generally in an ocean or a large lake. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other underwater explosions above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami.
The series of extremely long waves, Tsunami are very long wavelengths of water caused by a large and sudden displacement of the ocean due to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions etc.
These are also called seismic sea waves and are one of the most powerful and destructive natural forces.
When they reach the coast, they can cause dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents that can last for several hours or days.
Most tsunamis are caused by large earthquakes. Though, not all earthquakes cause tsunamis.
Characteristics of Tsunami.
Tsunamis are among Earth’s most infrequent hazards and most of them are small and nondestructive.
Over deep water, the tsunami has very long wavelengths (often hundreds of kilometres long) when a tsunami enters shallow water, its wavelength gets reduced and the period remains unchanged, which increases the wave height.
Tsunamis have a small amplitude (wave height) offshore. This can range from a few centimetres to over 30 m in height. However, most tsunamis have less than 3 m wave height.
It radiates in all directions from the point of origin and covers the entire ocean.
It generally consists of a series of waves, with periods ranging from minutes to hours.
These are the waves generated by tremors and not by earthquakes themselves.
There is no season for tsunamis and not all tsunamis act the same. It cannot be predicted where, when and how destructive it will be. A small tsunami in one place may be very large a few miles away.
An individual tsunami may impact coasts differently. A tsunami can strike any ocean coast at any time. They pose a major threat to coastal communities. The effect of Tsunami would occur only if the epicentre of the tremor is below oceanic waters and the magnitude is sufficiently high.
The speed of the wave in the ocean depends upon the depth of water. It is more in the shallow water than in the ocean deep. As a result of this, the impact of a tsunami is more near the coast and less over the ocean
The details of causes of Tsunami is explained below-
Earthquake – Tsunami is generated by the earthquake because of the disturbance of the seafloor and is formed generally with vertical displacement. Most Tsunami is generated by earthquakes that occur along the subduction boundaries of plates along the ocean trenches. The size of the Tsunami is related to the size of the earthquake.
Underwater explosion – A Nuclear Testing by the US generated Tsunami in 1940 and 1950s in Marshall island.
Volcanic eruption – Volcanoes that occur along the Coastal waters can cause several effects that can cause a tsunami.
Landslides – Earthquake and volcanic eruptions generally generate landslides, these landslides when moving into the Oceans, bays and lakes can generate Tsunami.
Meteorite Impacts – Though no historic example as such of meteorite impact has caused Tsunami, the apparent impact of a meteorite about 5 million years ago produced Tsunami leaving deposits along the Gulf Coast of Mexico and the United States.
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A tsunami is a series of waves in a water body caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, generally in an ocean or a large lake. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other underwater explosions above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami.
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Answer:
What is a Tsunami?
Characteristics of Tsunami.
The details of causes of Tsunami is explained below-