Tsunamis in Thailand
Sidney, Helen, Preethi, Gwyneth
Tsunamis
Tsunamis are large waves that are triggered by an event that displaces a large amount of water such as earthquakes. Tsunamis at first seem like a regular wave because they start out small and wide. However, when they reach the shallow water close to land, the small waves combine into one massive wave that can reach up to 100 feet in height, depending on the amount of energy involved
The Most Recent Tsunami in Thailand
The most recent tsunami occurred in 2004, and was one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history. It was caused by an earthquake and had a magnitude of 9.1 to 9.3, which makes it the third most powerful earthquake in history. It killed almost 230,000 people. It hit many countries including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Differences Between Tsunamis and Hurricanes
Although tsunamis and hurricanes seem similar because they are both relating to water, they are actually quite different. Tsunamis occur when an event displaces water causing many waves to combine into a massive one, while hurricanes are formed over warm ocean waters. A tsunami is also more likely to form over the Pacific Ocean compared to hurricanes, which form in a variety of places.