What Is a Tsunami?
A tsunami is a massive wave or series of waves that can be anywhere from ten to a thousand feet high.
Tsunamis hit the coastline with deadly force, causing damage to property, the natural environment, and great loss of life.
Tsunamis don't occur spontaneiously. They're triggered by earthquakes, landslides, underwater volcanic activities, meteor impacts and other causes.
Most tsunamis are caused by earthquakes and most large-scale earthquakes are followed by dangerous tsunamis, especially if they occur underwater.
Another word for tsunami is tidal wave, which is a misnomer because tsunamis are not related to the moon or its tides.
They are also called seismic sea waves, another misnomer because non-seismic activity such as a landslide can also trigger a tsunami.
