The Deadliest Natural Disaster
Learn What Causes a Tsunami
Of all natural disasters, few are feared and dreaded more than the tsunami. A tsunami (series of ocean waves) is caused by an unexpected displacement of water, which in turn can be caused by factors such as erupting volcanoes, earthquakes, and even meteorites. The most common cause of tsunamis are earthquakes.
This series of ocean waves emanates from its source at high speeds. There is great amount of energy that propels these ocean waves. Consider how a rock thrown in a lake causes ripples on the surface. This is the kind of compressed energy that results in destructive waves as it gets closer to the shore in the ocean.
As far as the etymology of the word goes, tsunami is a Japanese word meaning ‘harbor wave’. Tsu meaning harbor and nami meaning wave. But that is a very tame way to describe a force so destructive. According to the reports of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), tsunamis have killed more than 400,000 people. Tornadoes, also deadly, have killed less than 25,000 people in the same period.
What makes tsunamis so destructive as compared to tornadoes is the scope of its destruction. A single tsunami can cause devastation over hundreds of miles. Who can forget that tsunami of 2004 that alone cause around 200,000 deaths. That tsunami took the lives of 130,000 people who were living near the earthquake. However, the tsunami claimed further 58,000 lives on farther shores.
What about prevention? As we have seen, tsunamis are caused by unpredictable events, and this makes prevention difficult. That doesn’t mean scientists are not trying to find discover ways how to detect early warning signs of tsunami. Any developments in this area can help people evacuate beforehand, saving thousands of lives.
Fatima M.
Freelance Blogger
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