18 interesting facts about tsunami

Tsunami — one of the most frightening and destructive natural phenomena. Huge waves crush everything in their path, sometimes passing inland for many kilometers. Escaping a tsunami is not easy, and in areas prone to this disaster, many rules have been developed to help save life for yourself and others in the event of a monstrous wave.

Facts about Tsunami

  1. Most often, a tsunami occurs as a result of underwater earthquakes (interesting facts about earthquakes).
  2. The most striking sign of an approaching tsunami — sudden outflow of water. Sometimes the seabed is exposed for hundreds of meters.
  3. A tsunami usually consists not of a single wave, but of several, one after another at a decent distance.
  4. In shallow water, the height of a tsunami wave increases sharply, and the speed, on the contrary, decreases.
  5. About 80% of all tsunamis occur in the Pacific Ocean (interesting facts about the oceans).
  6. The speed of a tsunami wave in the open ocean or sea can reach 800 kilometers per hour.
  7. The length of a tsunami wave can reach several hundred kilometers.
  8. The difference between a tsunami and storm waves generated by the wind is very serious — the storm disturbs only the upper layers of the water, and with a tsunami, the entire water column from the bottom to the surface comes into motion.
  9. The first of the tsunami waves in a series of these waves — not always the highest and most destructive.
  10. The word «tsunami» translated from Japanese means «wave in the harbor».
  11. In addition to earthquakes, a meteorite fall, a massive landslide, an avalanche or a volcanic eruption can cause a tsunami (interesting facts about volcanoes).
  12. The distance between tsunami waves can reach two hundred kilometers.
  13. In the open ocean, the height of a tsunami usually does not exceed one meter.
  14. About the connection of tremors and giant waves crashing on land were known to the ancient Greeks almost 2.5 thousand years ago.
  15. In 2004, a monstrous tsunami that hit the coast of the Indian Ocean caused the death of more than 200 thousand people.
  16. Palm trees on the shore often withstand a tsunami. Amazingly strong and resilient trees (interesting facts about trees)!
  17. Salt water brought by a tsunami can poison fresh rivers, streams and other sources.
  18. At the time of landfall, the speed of a tsunami wave usually does not exceed 80-90 kilometers per hour.
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