Report from Japan: Impact of

Tsunami Devastates Nation's Northeast

March 11, 2011 0:00 AM

A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake has struck off Japan's

northeastern coast, triggering a 10 meter tsunami that swept away
boats, homes and cars along the coastline. At least 200 people have
been killed and the death toll is expected to rise further. The
tsunami has disrupted rail services and thousands of people have
been stranded in offices, unable to get home. The U.S. Geological
Survey lists the quake as the world's fifth most powerful since 1900
and the most powerful ever to hit Japan.

- DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TSUNAMI AND STORM SURGE.

Tsunamis can be seismic, meaning they can result from the

vibrations of the Earth such as earthquakes, or non-seismic – caused
by phenomena such as meteorites or asteroids. But storm surge is
only associated with tropical or extra-tropical cyclones where heavy
winds trigger the abnormal rise in water levels.