Tsunami

What is a tsunami?
Tsunami is a Japanese name for 'harbour waves' generally
called tidal waves but actually tsunami has nothing to do with
tides. Tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the
displacement of a large volume of a body of water, usually an
ocean. Tsunami is generated when ocean floods shift vertically,
usually due to an earthquake. When a shift in the ocean floor
displaces the water above, the water body travels as a huge wave to
regain equilibrium. Actually tsunami is generated as a result of a
sudden rise or fall of section on the earth's crust under the ocean.

Causes of Tsunami

Earthquake
Volcanic eruption
Underwater explosions
Meteorite impacts

Size of Tsunami
Tsunami have an extremely long wavelength (wavelength
is the distance between the crest (top) of one wave and the
crest of the next wave) -- up to several hundred miles long.
The period (the time between two successive waves) is also
very long -- about an hour in deep water.In the deep sea, a
tsunami height can be only about 1 m (3 feet) tall.Tsunami
are often barely visible when they are in the deep sea. This
makes tsunami detection in the deep sea very difficult.
A tsunami can travel at well over 970 kph (600 mph) in
the open ocean - as fast as a jet flies.It can take only a few
hours fora tsunami to travel across an entire ocean. A
regular wave(generated by the wind) travel sat up to about
90 km/hr.

Facts About Tsunamis

Tsunami is should not be known as tidal waves. Tsunamis are
sometimes incorrectly called "tidal waves" -- tsunamis are not
caused by the tides (tides are caused by the gravitational force of
the moon on the sea).Regular waves are caused by the wind.If the
first part of a tsunami to reach land is at roughcalled a
drawbackrather than awave crest, the water along the shoreline
recedes dramatically, exposing normally submerged areas.
Most tsunamis, about 80 percent, happen within the Pacific
Oceans Ring of Fire, a geologically active area where tectonic
shifts make volcanoes and earthquakes common.
A tsunami may be less than a foot (30 centimeters)in height on
the surface of the open ocean, which is why they are not noticed by
sailors. But the powerful shock wave of energy travels rapidly
through the ocean as fast as a commercial jet. Once a tsunami
reaches shallow water near the coast, it is slowed down. The top of
the wave moves faster than the bottom, causing the sea to rise
dramatically.
Geological features such as reefs, bays, river entrances, and
undersea formations may dissipate the energy of a tsunami. In
some places a tsunami may cause the sea to rise vertically only a
few inches or feet. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami could rank as
the most devastating on record. More than 200,000people lost
their lives, many of them washed out to sea.

Warning Signs

An earthquake is a natural tsunami warning. If you feel a strong

quake do not stay in a place where you are exposed to a tsunami. If
you hear of an earthquake be aware of the possibility of a tsunami
and listen to the radio or television for additional information.
Remember that an earthquake can trigger killer waves thousands
of miles across the ocean many hours after the event generated a
tsunami.
Then,witnesses have reported that an approaching tsunami is
sometimes preceded by a noticeable fall or rise in the water level. If
you see the ocean receding unusually rapidly or far its a good sign
that a big wave is on its way. Go to high ground immediately.
Many people were killed by the Indian Ocean tsunami because
they went down to the beach to view the retreating ocean exposing
the seafloor. Experts believe that a receding ocean may give people
as much as five minutes warning to evacuate the area.
Tsunami is a series of waves and that the first wave may not be
the most dangerous. The danger from a tsunami can last for
several hours after the arrival of the first wave. A tsunami wave
train may come as a series of surges that are five minutes to an
hour apart. The cycle may be marked by a repeated retreat and
advance of the ocean.
Survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami reported that the sea
surged out as fast and as powerfully as it came ashore.Many people
were seen being swept out to sea when the ocean retreated. A
tsunami surge may be small at one point of the shore and large at
another point a short distance away.But do not assume that
because there is minimal sign of a tsunami in one place it will be
like that everywhere else.

Plan for a Tsunami

Develop a Family Disaster Plan. Learn about tsunami risk in
your community. Find out if your home, school, workplace or other
frequently visited locations are in tsunami hazard areas. Know the
height of your street above sea level and its distance from the coast
or other high-risk waters. Evacuation orders may be based on these
numbers.
Get a NOAA Weather Radio. Use a NOAA Weather Radio with
a tone-alert feature to keep you informed of local watches and
warnings. The tone alert feature will warn you of potential danger
even if you are not currently listening to local radio or television
stations.
Discuss Tsunami Preparedness with Your Family. Everyone
should know what to do in case all family members are not
together. Discussing the dangers of tsunamis and your evacuation
plans ahead of time will help reduce fear and anxiety, and let
everyone know how to respond. Review flood safety and
preparedness measures with your family.
Plan an Evacuation Route. Plan an evacuation route from your
home, school, workplace, or any other place you'll be where
tsunamis present a risk. If possible, pick an area 100 feet above sea
level or go up to two miles inland, away from the coastline. If you
can't get this high or far, go as high as you can. Every foot inland or
upwards may make a difference. Prepare the essentials. Prepare a
supply kit equipped to sustain you and your family for about a
week and make sure it is readily accessible in case you need to take
quick action.