Tsunami

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 (including detonations, landslides, glacier calvings, meteorite impacts and other disturbances) above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The term tsunami is a borrowing from the Japanese tsunami 津波, meaning "harbour wave". For the plural, one can either follow ordinary English practice and add an s, or use an invariable plural as in the Japanese.

Generation mechanisms[edit | edit source]

Tsunamis are generated by any large, impulsive displacement of the sea level. The largest of these disturbances are usually a result of earthquakes, but landslides, volcanic eruptions, calving icebergs, and meteorite impacts can also generate a tsunami.

Characteristics[edit | edit source]

When the wave enters shallow water, it slows down and its amplitude (height) increases. The wave further slows and amplifies as it hits land. Only the largest tsunamis reach the shore as anything more than a gentle swell.

Tsunami warning systems[edit | edit source]

The Pacific Tsunami Warning System is based in Hawaii and provides warnings for tsunamis to most countries in the Pacific Ocean as well as to the Hawaii and all other US interests in the Pacific outside of Alaska and the US West Coast. Those areas are served by the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska.

See also[edit | edit source]

Tsunami Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.