Tsunami - Info sheet

A tsunami is a powerful series of ocean waves that can cause catastrophic damage when they reach coastal areas. These waves are typically generated by significant disturbances beneath the ocean, such as undersea earthquakes, landslides along the coast, or volcanic eruptions. The energy released from these events displaces vast amounts of water, creating waves that travel across the ocean at high speeds. When these waves approach the shoreline, they can rise to great heights and inundate the land, often with disastrous consequences for communities and the environment.

The destructive force of tsunamis was starkly illustrated on December 26, 2004, when a colossal undersea megathrust earthquake triggered a series of tsunamis that ravaged the coastlines of multiple countries in Southeast Asia. This disaster resulted in the tragic loss of nearly 200,000 lives and the obliteration of entire villages. Megathrust earthquakes, responsible for some of the most powerful tsunamis, occur when one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, causing a significant displacement of the seabed and the overlying water. Understanding these natural phenomena, including how mountains are formed and what causes earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, is crucial for geographers and scientists in their ongoing study of the Earth's dynamic processes.