How Tsunamis are formed

A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by a large volume of a

body of water.

Earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions are the main causes
of tsunamis. They all are the main causes of tsunamis. They all can
occur above or below the water surface but either way they all have
the potential to generate a tsunami.

A tsunami results when a large volume of ocean water is rapidly
displaced. Several calamitous events are capable of producing a
displacement. Once the energy from such an event is unleashed, the
water races at a high speed over the ocean until it finally slams into
the shoreline.

Most tsunamis occur when there are earthquakes at tectonic plate
boundaries. Tsunamis occur with the most frequently in the Pacific
Ocean and around Indonesia. Oceans and large lakes are where
tsunamis are most likely to happen. They can also take place above or
below water.

A tsunami can reach a height of 30m high and can travel at the speed
of 500 miles per hour- that is almost as fast as a jet plane. Scientists
can accurately estimate the time when a tsunami will arrive almost
anywhere around the world based on calculations using the depth of
the water, distances from one place to another, and the time that the
earthquake or other event occurred.

by Chelsea