A tsunami (from Japanese: 津波, "harbour wave"; English pronunciation: /tsuːˈnɑːmi/) or tidal

wave, also known as a seismic sea wave, 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 of underwater
nuclear devices), landslides, glacier calvings, meteorite impacts and other disturbances above
or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami. Unlike normal ocean waves which
are generated by wind, or tides which are generated by the gravitational pull of the Moon and
Sun, a tsunami is generated by the displacement of water.

Tsunami waves do not resemble normal undersea currents or sea waves, because their
wavelength is far longer. Rather than appearing as a breaking wave, a tsunami may instead
initially resemble a rapidly rising tide, and for this reason they are often referred to as tidal
waves, although this usage is not favoured by the scientific community because tsunamis are
not tidal in nature. Tsunamis generally consist of a series of waves with periods ranging from
minutes to hours, arriving in a so-called "internal wave train". Wave heights of tens of metres
can be generated by large events. Although the impact of tsunamis is limited to coastal areas,
their destructive power can be enormous and they can affect entire ocean basins; the 2004
Indian Ocean tsunami was among the deadliest natural disasters in human history with at least
230,000 people killed or missing in 14 countries bordering the Indian Ocean

Tidal wave

Tsunami are sometimes referred to as tidal waves. This once-popular term derives from the most
common appearance of tsunami, which is that of an extraordinarily high tidal bore. Tsunami and
tides both produce waves of water that move inland, but in the case of tsunami the inland
movement of water may be much greater, giving the impression of an incredibly high and
forceful tide. In recent years, the term "tidal wave" has fallen out of favour, especially in the
scientific community, because tsunami have nothing to do with tides, which are produced by the
gravitational pull of the moon and sun rather than the displacement of water. Although the
meanings of "tidal" include "resembling" or "having the form or character of the tides, use of the
term tidal wave is discouraged by geologists and oceanographers.

Seismic sea wave

The term seismic sea wave also is used to refer to the phenomenon, because the waves most
often are generated by seismic activity such as earthquakes. Prior to the rise of the use of the
term tsunami in English-speaking countries, scientists generally encouraged the use of the term
seismic sea wave rather than tidal wave. However, like tsunami, seismic sea wave is not a
completely accurate term, as forces other than earthquakes – including underwater landslides,
volcanic eruptions, underwater explosions, land or ice slumping into the ocean, meteorite
impacts, and the weather when the atmospheric pressure changes very rapidly – can generate
such waves by displacing water.
Tsunami safety rules

A strong earthquake felt in a low-lying coastal area is a natural warning of possible,

immediate danger. Keep calm and quickly move to higher ground away from the coast.
Not all large earthquakes cause tsunamis, but many do. If the quake is located near or
directly under the ocean, the probability of a tsunami increases. When you hear that an
earthquake has occurred under the ocean or coastline regions, prepare for a tsunami
emergency.
Tsunamis can occur at any time, day or night. They can travel up rivers and streams that
lead to the ocean.
A tsunami is not a single wave, but a series of waves. The largest wave may occur several
hours after arrival. Stay out of danger until an "ALL CLEAR" is issued by a competent
authority.
Approaching tsunamis are sometimes heralded by noticeable rise or fall of coastal
waters. This is nature's tsunami warning and should be heeded.
Approaching large tsunamis are usually accompanied by a loud roar that sounds like a
train or aircraft. If a tsunami arrives at night when you can not see the ocean, this is also
nature's tsunami warning and should be heeded.
A small tsunami at one beach can be a giant a few miles away. Don't let the modest size
of one make you lose respect for all.
Never go down to the beach to watch for a tsunami!
WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE WAVE YOU ARE TOO CLOSE TO ESCAPE.
Tsunamis can move faster than a person can run!
During a tsunami emergency, your local emergency management office, police, fire and
other emergency organizations will try to save your life. Give them your fullest
cooperation.
Homes and other buildings located in low lying coastal areas are not safe. Do NOT stay in
such buildings if there is a tsunami warning.
The upper floors of high, multi-story, reinforced concrete hotels can provide refuge if
there is no time to quickly move inland or to higher ground.
If you are on a boat or ship, weather and time-permitting, move your vessel to deeper
water (at least 150 feet). If it is the case that there is concurrent severe weather, it may
may safer to leave the boat at the pier and physically move to higher ground.
Damaging wave activity and unpredictable currents can effect harbor conditions for a
period of time after the tsunami's initial impact. Be sure conditions are safe before you
return your boat or ship to the harbor.
Stay tuned to your local radio, marine radio, NOAA Weather Radio, or television stations
during a tsunami emergency - bulletins issued through your local emergency
management office and National Weather Service offices can save your life