What is a tsumani?
A tsunami (pronounced tsoo-nah-mee) is a wave train, or series of waves, generated
in a body of water by an impulsive disturbance that vertically displaces the
water column.
What does "tsunami" mean?
Tsunami is a Japanese word with the English translation, "harbor wave."
Represented by two characters, the top character, "tsu," means harbor,
while the bottom character, "nami," means "wave."
How Do Earthquakes Cause Tsunamis
Tsunamis can be generated when the sea floor abruptly deforms and vertically
displaces the overlying water.
A Survey of Great Tsunamis
Throughout recorded history tsunamis have occurred that have significantly impacted
coastal communities. This section attempts to document some of the more destructive
recent tsunamis, with textual descriptions of the events supplemented by images
and co mputer-generated simulations
Tsunami Hazard Mitigation
In general, if you think a tsunami may be coming, the ground shakes under your
feet or you hear there is a warning, tell your relatives and friends, and move
quickly to higher ground.
FEMA: Tsunami Factsheet
A tsunami is a series of waves that may be dangerous and destructive. When you
hear a tsunami warning, move at once to higher ground and stay there until local
authorities say it is safe to return home.