A tsunami is a very long ocean wave generated by sudden displacement of the

seafloor or of the oceanic mass

The displacement of an equivalent volume of water generates the tsunami.
Tsunamis can hit with little or no warning4,000 people have been killed between
1990 and 2000
The most prone areas are those associated with earthquakes and volcanoes (mainly
subduction zones)
Tsunamis travel very quickly relative to normal ocean waves
This is particularly the case in pen water, where velocities increase with water depth
Velocities can reach 1,000km/hr in open ocean
In shallow water, the tsunami waves pile up
As result, velocities and wavelengths decrease
But at the same time, amplitude can increase enormously
Effects Earthqaukes;
Earthquakes
Volcanic activity
Landslides
Meteorite impacts
Waves often full of debris
As the waves recedes, the debris drags more stuff with it
Can recede as much has a km out to sea, leaving shoreline empty with flopping fish,
boats, etc. on the bottom
Pressure recorder on bottom of ocean
Buoy to communicate readings via satellite
Tsunami Warning Centers issue warning
Requires good emergency planning and preparation
Run to higher grounder