How are tsunamis created?

A tsunami is a series of waves generated in an ocean or other body of water by a disturbance such as an earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption, or meteorite impact. The picture at the left shows how an earthquake can generate a tsunami in the overlying water. read more

Tsunamis and tides both produce waves of water that move inland, but in the case of a tsunami, the inland movement of water may be much greater, giving the impression of an incredibly high and forceful tide. read more

Tsunamis are generally described as outwardly-moving concentric waves traveling at high speeds until they reach the coastline. They vary in size and can be undetected or cause widespread destruction. The recent tsunami in Japan claimed as many as tens of thousands of lives. read more