Why do tsunamis occur?
Cause - The basic reason why tsunami's are caused is because of sudden movement on the ocean floor due to either earthquakes, landslides on the sea bed, land slumping into the ocean, large volcanic eruptions or meteorite impact in the ocean.
The three most common one are:
The three most common one are:
Earthquakes:
This is the main cause of most tsunami's; when slabs of rock move past each other suddenly, causing the overlaying water to move. Due to so much force projected at once the waves move away from the source of the earthquake event subsequently causing a tsunami .
This is the main cause of most tsunami's; when slabs of rock move past each other suddenly, causing the overlaying water to move. Due to so much force projected at once the waves move away from the source of the earthquake event subsequently causing a tsunami .
Landslides:
Underwater landslides can cause a tsunami as can mundane land which slumps into the ocean. When an underwater landslide occurs(perhaps caused by a nearby earthquake) a large mass of sand, mud, gravel can move down the slop; this movement will draw the water down and may cause a tsunami that will most likely travel across the ocean.
Underwater landslides can cause a tsunami as can mundane land which slumps into the ocean. When an underwater landslide occurs(perhaps caused by a nearby earthquake) a large mass of sand, mud, gravel can move down the slop; this movement will draw the water down and may cause a tsunami that will most likely travel across the ocean.
Volcanic Eruptions:
The less common cause of a tsunami are volcanic eruptions. These occur in several ways:
The less common cause of a tsunami are volcanic eruptions. These occur in several ways:
- Catastrophic collapse of coastal, island and underwater volcanoes which result in massive landslides.
- Pyroclastic flows, which are dense mixtures of hot blocks, pumice, ash and gas, plunging down volcanic slopes into the ocean and pushing water outwards.
- A caldera volcano collapsing after and eruption causing overlying water to drop suddenly