Tsunamis: Giant Waves Explained

A tsunami is a series of waves caused by sudden water displacement.

Earthquakes often cause tsunamis by moving the sea floor.

Landslides and glacier calvings can generate tsunami waves too.

Waves grow taller as they reach shallower coastal waters nearby.

Early warning systems use sirens to alert coastal populations.

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami affected 14 countries bordering the ocean.

A wave of 524 metres hit Lituya Bay, Alaska, from a landslide.

Japan has the longest recorded history of tsunamis.

Tsunamis are not caused by tides despite the old tidal wave term.

Scientists still research why some earthquakes cause tsunamis.