Answer:
Tsunamis are ocean waves caused by large earthquakes and
landslides that occur near or under the ocean. Scientists
do not use the term "tidal wave" because these waves are
not caused by tides
Tsunami
waves are unlike typical ocean waves generated by wind and
storms. When tsunamis approach shore, the behave like a
very fast moving tide that extends far inland. A rule of
thumb is that if you see the tsunami, it is too late to
out run it. Most tsunamis do not "break" like the curling,
wind-generated waves popular with surfers. Even "small"
tsunamis (for example, 6 feet in height) are associated
with extremely strong currents, capable of knocking
someone off their feet.
Because of complex interactions with the coast, tsunami
waves can persist for many hours.
As
with many natural phenomena, tsunamis can range in size
from micro-tsunamis detectable only by sensitive
instruments on the ocean floor to mega-tsunamis that can
affect the coastlines of entire oceans, as with the Indian
Ocean tsunami of 2004.
If you
hear a tsunami warning or if you feel strong shaking at
the coast or very unusual wave activity (e.g., the sea
withdrawing far from shore), it is important to move to
high ground and stay away from the coast until wave
activity has subsided (usually several hours to days).
