08-16-2017, 08:38 PM
Tsunamis
View of tsunami waves hitting a shoreline.
This page explains what actions to take when you receive a tsunami (pronounced soo-n -mees) alert from the National Weather Service for your local area. It also provides tips on what to do before, during, and after a tsunami. Tsunamis can strike any U.S. Coast, but risk is greatest for states and territories with Pacific and Caribbean coastlines.
Tsunamis, also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called tidal waves ), are a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance such as an earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption, or meteorite. Earthquake-induced movement of the ocean floor most often generates tsunamis. If a major earthquake or landslide occurs close to shore, the first wave in a series could reach the beach in a few minutes, even before a warning is issued. Areas are at greater risk if they are less than 25 feet above sea level and within a mile of the shoreline. Drowning is the most common cause of death associated with a tsunami. Tsunami waves and the receding water are very destructive to structures in the run-up zone. Other hazards include flooding, contamination of drinking water, and fires from gas lines or ruptured tanks.
