What is a Tsunami?

Today's technology allows little in the world to go unnoticed. The media and Internet unite even the most remote corners of the world. World events are now accessible to all of us at any time. Many of us have heard of tsunamis, the giant waves that hit Japan and other Asian countries. The media easily bring visual proof of the devastation into our homes, and we understand the awesome power and fury of nature.

The scientific definition of a tsunami is an ocean wave produced by a submarine earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. Traditionally an earthquake occurs when two massive plates of earth come together, often moving in opposite directions. This movement builds pressure and eventually results in the tsunami. Tsunami waves start as ripples and eventually can reach enormous dimensions and have sufficient energy to travel across entire oceans.