Tsunamis: what are these exactly, how do they occur, and why are known to be so deadly? Tsunamis are massive sea waves that are spawned from earthquakes generated underneath the ocean at tectonic plate boundaries. Although earthquakes are known to be the main cause of tsunamis, these enormous waves can occur due to occurrences such as rapid changes in the atmospheric pressure or volcanic eruptions. These waves are formed in a series, sometimes referred to as a “wave train.” There is never just one wave when a tsunami occurs. Typically, the first wave of a tsunami is not the strongest; waves that occur later on usually hold the most power and cause the most destruction. The waves of tsunamis can reach heights of up to one hundred feet when
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Tsunami waves tend to slow down to a speed of about twenty to thirty miles an hour. During this time of reformation, the tsunami waves become destructive. When the destructive tsunami waves close in on the shoreline, they rise to be even more massive than before and rush in at high speeds. When the destructive tsunami waves come into view, they seem to be only an enormous rise in the sea level that is rapidly approaching land. When tsunami waves touch the shore, their height can reach up to one hundred feet. The tsunami waves do not have the appearance of a breaking wave. Once these waves reach the shoreline, there is no stopping the deleterious tsunami waves from crashing into land and causes devastation to the surrounding areas of the oceans. The first sign of an approaching tsunami is when the shoreline begins to draw in towards the middle of the ocean and away from the beaches. When the shoreline is drawing in, the water is forming together to construct the massive tsunami waves. The more water that is present means that the waves formed will be more powerful and severe. As the water from the shoreline is accumulated into the tsunami waves, the trough of the very first wave to hit the shore foregoes the crest of the tsunami is the result of these actions. People that live near the shorelines of tsunami prone areas tend to …show more content…
A tsunami is a series of waves that occur over a period of time, causing mass destruction when it moves onto land from building up in the oceans. Tsunamis are considered to be one of the most dangerous natural disasters to ever occur on Earth. Although tsunamis can form because of volcanic eruptions, rapid changes in pressure, or other factors, majority of tsunamis are developed as a result of earthquakes underneath the ocean on the Earth’s crust. In the beginning stages of a tsunami, the sea floor starts to shift upwards; these shifts cause ripples in the ocean waters, resulting in the tsunami waves (Tarkbuck, Lutgens, and Tasa 380). One of the most known tsunamis to ever occur happened in the Indian Ocean near the island of Sumatra, Indonesia in December 2004. The 2004 Indonesian earthquake, which resulted in the tsunami, caused more damage that all other earthquakes that occurred in the twenty-five years previous to it. There have been other tsunamis to occur over time, but none have compared to the one in 2004. Warning systems have been installed since then and have helped people be more prepared in these instances. Having evacuation plans prior to when a tsunami hits is crucial. There are certain procedures that one needs to take before, during, and after a tsunami to ensure his or her safety.
Tsunami waves tend to slow down to a speed of about twenty to thirty miles an hour. During this time of reformation, the tsunami waves become destructive. When the destructive tsunami waves close in on the shoreline, they rise to be even more massive than before and rush in at high speeds. When the destructive tsunami waves come into view, they seem to be only an enormous rise in the sea level that is rapidly approaching land. When tsunami waves touch the shore, their height can reach up to one hundred feet. The tsunami waves do not have the appearance of a breaking wave. Once these waves reach the shoreline, there is no stopping the deleterious tsunami waves from crashing into land and causes devastation to the surrounding areas of the oceans. The first sign of an approaching tsunami is when the shoreline begins to draw in towards the middle of the ocean and away from the beaches. When the shoreline is drawing in, the water is forming together to construct the massive tsunami waves. The more water that is present means that the waves formed will be more powerful and severe. As the water from the shoreline is accumulated into the tsunami waves, the trough of the very first wave to hit the shore foregoes the crest of the tsunami is the result of these actions. People that live near the shorelines of tsunami prone areas tend to …show more content…
A tsunami is a series of waves that occur over a period of time, causing mass destruction when it moves onto land from building up in the oceans. Tsunamis are considered to be one of the most dangerous natural disasters to ever occur on Earth. Although tsunamis can form because of volcanic eruptions, rapid changes in pressure, or other factors, majority of tsunamis are developed as a result of earthquakes underneath the ocean on the Earth’s crust. In the beginning stages of a tsunami, the sea floor starts to shift upwards; these shifts cause ripples in the ocean waters, resulting in the tsunami waves (Tarkbuck, Lutgens, and Tasa 380). One of the most known tsunamis to ever occur happened in the Indian Ocean near the island of Sumatra, Indonesia in December 2004. The 2004 Indonesian earthquake, which resulted in the tsunami, caused more damage that all other earthquakes that occurred in the twenty-five years previous to it. There have been other tsunamis to occur over time, but none have compared to the one in 2004. Warning systems have been installed since then and have helped people be more prepared in these instances. Having evacuation plans prior to when a tsunami hits is crucial. There are certain procedures that one needs to take before, during, and after a tsunami to ensure his or her safety.