Tsunamis, which can travel over the ocean surface from many hundreds of miles, can be generated when chunks of the planet's crust separate under the seafloor, causing an earthquake.
Here's what happens: One slab of lifting crust essentially rapidly acts as a giant paddle, transferring its energy to the water.
Tsunamis can also be caused by volcanic eruptions, underwater detonations and even landslides.
The resulting waves are hard to predict for several reasons. Nobody knows how a quake has affected the seafloor until hours, days or even months after the event. And a tsunami is almost imperceptible on the open ocean, rising to full ferocity only as it nears the shore.
Here's what happens: One slab of lifting crust essentially rapidly acts as a giant paddle, transferring its energy to the water.
Tsunamis can also be caused by volcanic eruptions, underwater detonations and even landslides.
The resulting waves are hard to predict for several reasons. Nobody knows how a quake has affected the seafloor until hours, days or even months after the event. And a tsunami is almost imperceptible on the open ocean, rising to full ferocity only as it nears the shore.
