Ocean waves generated by underwater earthquakes, landslides or volcanic eruptions are called Tsunamis. This Japanese term translates to “harbor wave.” In the deep ocean, they travel at high speeds with small heights, but as they reach shallow coastal waters, they slow down and grow into massive, destructive walls of water. ANSWER: (D) Tsunami
What are the ocean waves generated by underwater earthquakes called? (A) Scale (B) Kem (C) Cirque (D) Tsunami
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A tsunami is not a single wave but a series of waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of water. When an undersea earthquake occurs at a subduction zone, the seafloor snaps upward or downward, pushing the water column above it. This creates a wave that can travel across entire oceans at speeds exceeding 800 km/h (speed of a jet plane). Unlike normal tide-driven waves, tsunamis have extremely long wavelengths. As they approach the shore, the front of the wave slows down due to friction with the seabed, causing the back of the wave to pile up, resulting in a surge that can penetrate kilometers inland.