Tsunami, Tidal Waves, Storm Surge - Floods From the Ocean
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When the Earth Shakes, and the Water Recedes from Shore--Run to the Hills!
The images on the TV news stations of the March 11, 2011 tsunami resulting from a massive earthquake near Honshu Japan dramatically demonstrated the devastating power of these disastrous waves. The video images were akin to the horrifying images that came from Thailand, Indonesia, and the Indian coast after the December 2004 massive earthquake and resulting tsunami
A few hours later, the affects of the earthquake and tsunami were felt in Hawaii -- where series ot tsunami waves came ashore on the various islands. Some of the waves were reported to be 11-feet high and some made it to the lobbies of some hotels, destroyed some shoreline houses, and caused some coastal flooding.
And, 7000 miles across the Pacific Ocean, the after-effects of this earthquake and resulting tsunami were felt 10 hours later along the West Coast of the United States. Eight-foot high series of tsunami waves trashed the harbors of Crescent City and Santa Cruz in California. Also, some folks were washed away by the waves--even though they were warned against getting too close to the shore, they went down there to look and take pictures, and they were unable to outrun the incoming wall of water.
"Tsunami" is the Japanese word composed of two characters "tsu" and "nami" that mean "harbor wave" that is used as a term to describe what scientists call a seismic sea wave. Seismic means an earthquake or earthmoving event. Tsunami are predominately caused by earthquakes that displace large areas of ocean floor and the water above these areas.
Tsunami Warning Sign, Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia
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Although these deadly masses of water crashing to shore are sometimes referred to as "tidal waves", they have no relation to tides (which are natural movements of the sea level due to the earth's rotation and the pull of lunar gravity).
Storm surge, with effects similar to that of a tsunami, is caused by a severe low-pressure area forming over an ocean area. This low-pressure area (commonly known as a Hurricane, Typhoon, or Cyclone) causes the surrounded water mass to rise up into the eye of the storm. Of course, for storm surge, folks are most concerned with the high winds. But if the storm hits during a period of already high tide, the storm surge can be many meters or feet higher than the protective sea walls and levees and dikes--which results in miles of flooding of any areas near sea level.
When at a Beach or When Near an Ocean (Sea Level) Be Aware of Warnings!
Along Coastal Areas of the United States, You'll See This Sign If You Are in a Danger Zone!
When visiting areas near the ocean--even if you believe you are more than 20 miles from the shoreline--if you are only a few feet above sea level, you should be aware of tall concrete buildings or higher ground where you could take shelter if a tsunami (or Hurricane/Typhoon/Cyclone) is approaching.
Case in point, in May 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit the coast of MyanMar (Burma). Because much of this country is near or at sea level, and partially because the extensive coastal Mangrove Swamps (aka "Mangals") had been cleared to create large, flat, sea-level areas for rice-paddies and farmlands (which are usually already saturated with water) and the accompanying human settlements, the storm surge almost 20-30 feet high flooded much of the delta and lowland areas of this country. An estimated 150,000 people died in this massive flooding.
Tsunami Following Eruption of Krakatoa
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Likewise, although there were fewer deaths involved (approximately 1830 people died)--in the U.S. folks are more able to quickly evacuate danger areas than in places like MyanMar or Bangladesh-- Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 in the Gulf of Mexico slammed into the U.S. State of Louisianna--the resulting storm surge peaked over the levees and dikes and flooded much of the state and surrounding areas.
Tsunami Links
- NOAA Center for Tsunami Research
- This is the U.S. Government's National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's website for the Center for Tsunami Research. Lots of in-depth information here. (Sorry about the pun.)
- FEMA Tsunami Page for Adults
- FEMA's site for Adults. Links to resources for emergency information and how to prepare for disasters such as tsunami.
- FEMA Tsunami Page for Kids
- FEMA's site for Kids. Information presented with kids in mind. Activities and resources for kids and teachers!
Thai patrol boat beached high away from shore as a result of the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami.
Catch a Wave of Reading!
The Orphan Tsunami of 1700: Japanese Clues to a Parent Earthquake in North America by Brian F. Atwater
The outside world scarcely knew of north-western N more...0 points
Overview Series - Catastrophe in Southern Asia: The Tsunami of 2004 (Overview Series) by Gail Stewart
The tsunami that tore through Southern Asia on Dec more...0 points
Disaster In The Indian Ocean: Tsunami 2004 (Monumental Milestones:) (Monumental Milestones: Great Events of Modern Times) by John Torres
The disaster in the Indian Ocean started with a ma more...0 points
Tsunami - The Aftermath
A tale of personal loss, survival and hope, this H more...0 points
Tsunami by Triumph Books
The most powerful earthquake in human history stru more...0 points
Tsunami Flooding Can Extend Far Inland - So Know Your Higher Ground!
Hawaii Press Conference on Tsunami Preparation HERE
Ocean Steamship Carried Inland in Sumatra by Tsunami from the Krakatoa Eruption, 1883
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Tsunami Infowear and Other Items
Seismic Sea Waves - Caused by Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
Ominous Warning with a Beautiful View - The Risk of Tsunami on any Coastal Area
Fishing boat deposited on a Thailand shore as a result of the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami.
Tsunami by the Bay ... eBay, That Is!
Any Coastal Area Can Be At Risk For Tsunami - So Be Aware Of What These Dangerous Waves Can Do!
Tsunami Links
- Satellite Pictures that Show Before and After of the Recent Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
- The devastating earthquake (upgraded to 9-point) that hit Japan on March 11, 2011 resulted in an even more destructive and deadly tsunami. These satellite images show various areas of Japan before and after this horrible event.
- Satellite images showing the before and after of the December 26, 2004 Indonesian earthquake and tsunami
- The Indonesian earthquake and resulting tsunami of December 26, 2004 was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. This site shows some before and after images of that event.
- Satellite images and news story from the Indonesian and Samoan earthquake and tsunami
- This website had images of the results of the earthquakes and tsunami that hit Indonesia and Samoa from October 2009.
- Assembled Google Satellite Images of the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
- The assembled before and after shots here are truly dramatic.
- More footage of the Japan Tsunami -- Showing the Massive Destruction
- It's not like a "wave" -- it's more like the dam breaking and the water roaring through at 20 to 30 feet higher than the normal water level and carrying off everything in its path. Then later, receding and sucking everything out to sea. Terrifying footage. Amateur video from someone who was there.
Don't Just Wave at Us -- Drop a Note!
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Annamadagan
Dec 19, 2011 @ 2:07 pm | delete
- Wow! Nice lens! This is scary! I love the ocean, it shows God's GREAT power! (nice pics, too!)
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waldenthree.net
Nov 16, 2011 @ 7:47 am | delete
- valuable topic and wonderful images. I just did a lens on ham radio hobby toward better preps for communities and families. I voted "Like' for this lens. Thanks for adding value for all .
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Phillyfreeze69
Oct 10, 2011 @ 6:54 pm | delete
- The December 2004 Tsunami was so powerful and devastating that destruction was evident thousands of miles from the epicenter. I have wondered about the countries that had submarines deployed in affected waters at the time of the eruption and subsequent Tsunami?
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sushilkin Sep 7, 2011 @ 8:02 am | delete
- Nature teaches the human in many ways but it very expensive. We all should PRAY FOR JAPAN.
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phoenix-arizona-friends
Jun 25, 2011 @ 6:32 pm | delete
- I have learned an important lesson in life. When you see all of the animals running in one direction and you don't yet know why, stop thinking and start running with them!
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puerdycat
Mar 24, 2011 @ 1:25 pm | delete
- Great lens! Thanks for mentioning it. Lens-rolling to "earthquake--japan."
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Evelyn_Saenz
Mar 11, 2011 @ 6:43 am | delete
- The earth is amazing and powerful. With today's earthquake in Japan and the resulting Tsunamis we who live on the opposite side of the earth stand back in awe, shock and amazement while praying for those in it's path.
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MaxReily
Mar 9, 2011 @ 12:46 pm | delete
- Fascinating lens. I don't think people appreciate the risk--one could be coming to a beach near you!
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Rafick Mar 1, 2011 @ 11:00 am | delete
- Yeah,they can be very devastating.
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LizMac60 Oct 19, 2010 @ 1:32 pm | delete
- Fascinating.
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reasonablerobinson
Oct 8, 2010 @ 4:09 pm | delete
- A frightening natural phenomenon. I've lens rolled to the sister of these events Tidal Bores.
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JaguarJulie
Jul 25, 2009 @ 3:05 pm | delete
- OMG! You know we worry about tornadoes and hurricanes, but then a tsunami is something of a whole different order of mother nature's furies!
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A Dramatic Children's Book - In Mixed Media. But It Gets the Point Across!
Tsunami!
Amazon Price: $9.65 (as of 02/15/2012)
It's very important to teach little ones very early about the beauty and the DANGER of the ocean and the coastline. To be safe and respectful of the ocean, young ones need to know this information, yet sometimes it's hard to get the point across. This book provides this message beautifully--with a story that kids can understand.
Narrative and Images of the Killer Waves!
Tsunami
Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 02/15/2012)
This book provides the timeline narrative of the 2004 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that killed 100s of thousands around the Indian Ocean region. A glimpse of the power of natural disaster.
Watching these waves in motion and learning about their causes...
National Geographic - Tsunami: Killer Wave
Amazon Price: $11.92 (as of 02/15/2012)
National Geographic is noted for producing videos of the highest quality -- and this video not only provides the shocking images but also the descriptive narrative that explores the underlying causes of these deadly natural phenomena.
