Surprising Tsunamis
Everything you need to know about tsunamis!
What Is A Tsunami?
Did you know that tsunamis can be caused by an earthquake , landslide or underwater volcanic eruption? A tsunami is a long high sea wave often caused by earthquakes. A tsunami can occur anywhere along a coastline. More than two tsunamis happen in the world per year. That may not sound like a lot , but it would be too many if you knew how much damage they could cause.
How Dangerous Is a Tsunami?
Once a tsunami reaches the shore , it triples in height. The topography of the coastline and the ocean floor will influence the size of the huge wave. The most destructive tsunamis have occurred along the coast of California , Oregon , Washington , Alaska , and Hawaii. Drowning is the most common cause of death during a tsunami. Tsunamis can travel about five hundred miles per hour , almost as fast as a jet!
How Does A Tsunami Form?
Earthquake-induced movement of the ocean floor most often creates tsunamis. Tsunami waves are formed by displaced water , which acts under the influence of gravity , attempts to find it's original position again. Not only can a tsunami be caused by an earthquake , it can be caused by a landslide as well. These landslides , in turn , are often triggered by earthquakes. As a result , the water level rises rapidly , generating a massive wave or tsunami.
Expensive Tsunamis!
Tsunamis can cause a lot more damage than you think. The reconstruction prices after a tsunami can range from 14 billion to 400 billion dollars. So high! On March 24 , 2011 at 8:01 P.M. a tsunami hit Japan. The government said the total cost of the damage caused by the tsunami could reach to 25 trillion yen - or U.S. 309 billion dollars. Those are some really expensive tsunamis!
Some Last Tsunami Words
Tsunamis are one of the Earth's greatest disasters. Many lives have been lost to the huge waves. Tsunamis have cost the government billions. Fortunately , due to the recent upgrade in earthquake technology , people have been able to notify people about earthquakes that could cause a tsunami. Even though , we still need to learn more about tsunamis in the future!