From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wikipedia portal for content related to Tsunamis
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami at Ao Nang , Krabi Province , Thailand
A tsunami ( (t)soo-NAH -mee, (t)suu- ; from Japanese : 津波 , lit. 'harbour wave', pronounced [tsɯnami] ) is a series of waves in a water body caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, generally in an ocean or a large lake . Earthquakes , volcanic eruptions and other underwater explosions (including detonations, landslides , glacier calvings , meteorite impacts and other disturbances) above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami. Unlike normal ocean waves, which are generated by wind , or tides , which are in turn generated by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun , a tsunami is generated by the displacement of water from a large event.
Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope was a worldwide benefit held for the
tsunami victims of the
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake . It was broadcast on
NBC and its affiliated networks of
USA Network ,
Bravo ,
PAX ,
MSNBC ,
CNBC ,
Sci-Fi ,
Trio ,
Telemundo and other
NBC Universal stations and was heard on any
Clear Channel radio station. The benefit was led by the actor
George Clooney on January 15, 2005, and was similar to
America: A Tribute to Heroes (set up after the
September 11th, 2001 attacks ). Digital Media innovator
Jay Samit enabled viewers to purchase digital downloads of the performances as a new way to raise money for the cause; including live recordings by
Elton John ,
Madonna ,
Sheryl Crow ,
Eric Clapton ,
Roger Waters and
Diana Ross . Taking a cue from
Bob Geldof (the man who had organized the
Live Aid concerts for African famine relief), it consisted of famous Hollywood entertainers and former American presidents
George H. W. Bush and
Bill Clinton . It was two hours long with stories and entertainment from a huge array of Hollywood popstars notables that include
Brad Pitt ,
Donald Trump , and much more. It was estimated to raise at least five million dollars by the end of the broadcast. (
Full article... )
List of selected articles
Events that can cause a tsunami
Scheme of a submarine eruption. 1 Water vapor cloud 2 Water 3 Stratum 4 Lava flow 5 Magma conduit 6 Magma chamber 7 Dike 8 Pillow lava
Submarine eruptions are
volcano eruptions which take place beneath the surface of water. These occur at constructive margins,
subduction zones and within
tectonic plates due to
hotspots . This eruption style is far more prevalent than subaerial activity. For example, it is believed that 70 to 80% of the Earth's magma output takes place at mid-ocean ridges. (
Full article... )
Do you have a question about Tsunamis that you can't find the answer to?
Consider asking it at the Wikipedia reference desk .
The following are images from various tsunami-related articles on Wikipedia.
Image 1 Calculated travel time map for the 1964 Alaska tsunami (in hours) (from
Tsunami )
Image 2 One of the deep water
buoys used in the
DART tsunami warning system (from
Tsunami )
Image 3 Plate slips, causing
subsidence and releasing energy into water. (from
Tsunami )
Image 5 Figure 1: Diagram showing how earthquakes can generate a tsunami. (from
Tsunamis in lakes )
Image 6 Tsunami warning system in
East Timor (from
Tsunami warning system )
Image 7 Tsunami Early Warning Tower board in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka (from
Tsunami warning system )
Image 8 The wave further slows and amplifies as it hits land. Only the largest waves crest. (from
Tsunami )
Image 10 Over-riding plate bulges under strain, causing
tectonic uplift . (from
Tsunami )
Image 11 Evacuation route sign in a low-lying coastal area on the West Coast of the United States (from
Tsunami warning system )
Image 12 When the wave enters shallow water, it slows down and its amplitude (height) increases. (from
Tsunami )
Image 13 Evacuation route sign on the pavement in
Kamakura , Japan (from
Tsunami warning system )
Image 14 The energy released produces tsunami waves. (from
Tsunami )
Image 15 Tsunami aftermath in
Aceh ,
Indonesia , December 2004 (from
Tsunami )
Image 16 Mast with warning system, and sign detailing escape routes, on the coast of
Okumatsushima ,
Miyagi prefecture ,
Japan (this coast was severely hit by the
2011 tsunami ) (from
Tsunami warning system )
Image 17 Japanese Tsunami warning sign (from
Tsunami warning system )
Image 18 Satellite image of
Lake Kivu (from
Tsunamis in lakes )
Image 20 A
seawall at
Tsu ,
Mie Prefecture in Japan
Image 21 Diagram showing several measures to describe a tsunami size, including height, inundation and run-up (from
Tsunami )
Image 22 An illustration of the rhythmic "drawback" of surface water associated with a wave. It follows that a very large drawback may herald the arrival of a very large wave. (from
Tsunami )
Category puzzle
Select [►] to view subcategories