Portal:Tsunamis

The Tsunami portal

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami at Ao Nang, Krabi Province, Thailand

A tsunami (/(t)suːˈnɑːmi, (t)sʊˈ-/ (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 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.

Selected article

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

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...)

List of events articles
Earthquake Submarine earthquake Tsunami earthquake Landslide Glacier calving Meteorite impact

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General images

The following are images from various tsunami-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1An 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)
Image 2Tsunami Early Warning Tower board in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka (from Tsunami warning system)
Image 3Satellite image of Lake Kivu (from Tsunamis in lakes)
Image 4Evacuation route sign in a low-lying coastal area on the West Coast of the United States (from Tsunami warning system)
Image 5Diagram showing several measures to describe a tsunami size, including height, inundation and run-up (from Tsunami)
Image 6Drawing of tectonic plate boundary before earthquake (from Tsunami)
Image 7Evacuation route sign on the pavement in Kamakura, Japan (from Tsunami warning system)
Image 8Over-riding plate bulges under strain, causing tectonic uplift. (from Tsunami)
Image 9The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami at Ao Nang, Krabi Province, Thailand (from Tsunami)
Image 10Plate slips, causing subsidence and releasing energy into water. (from Tsunami)
Image 11One of the deep water buoys used in the DART tsunami warning system (from Tsunami)
Image 12Calculated travel time map for the 1964 Alaska tsunami (in hours) (from Tsunami)
Image 13Diagram showing how earthquakes can generate a tsunami (from Tsunamis in lakes)
Image 14Tsunami warning system in East Timor (from Tsunami warning system)
Image 15Lisbon earthquake and tsunami in November 1755 (from Tsunami)
Image 16When the wave enters shallow water, it slows down and its amplitude (height) increases. (from Tsunami)
Image 17The energy released produces tsunami waves. (from Tsunami)
Image 18Mast 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 19Tsunami aftermath in Aceh, Indonesia, December 2004 (from Tsunami)
Image 20The wave further slows and amplifies as it hits land. Only the largest waves crest. (from Tsunami)
Image 21Japanese Tsunami warning sign (from Tsunami warning system)
Image 22A seawall at Tsu, Mie Prefecture in Japan

Selected tsunami article

A convoy of fire engines in the tsunami zone

The aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami included both a humanitarian crisis and massive economic impacts. The tsunami created over 300,000 refugees in the Tōhoku region of Japan, and resulted in shortages of food, water, shelter, medicine and fuel for survivors. 15,900 deaths have been confirmed. In response to the crisis, the Japanese government mobilized the Self-Defence Forces, while many countries sent search and rescue teams to help search for survivors. Aid organizations both in Japan and worldwide also responded, with the Japanese Red Cross reporting $1 billion in donations. The economic impact included both immediate problems, with industrial production suspended in many factories, and the longer term issue of the cost of rebuilding which has been estimated at ¥10 trillion (US$122 billion). (Full article...)

Selected tsunami articles

In the news

17 August 2024 –: A 7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes off the eastern coast of Kamchatka Krai, Russia with a tsunami warning being issued. (Sky News)