Stephanie Sy
Geology 12 T/R
Tsunami: The Killer Wave
Many people see the beach as a place for recreational activity and solely a place for fun,
sports, and games. It is hard to see the beach in any negative connotation besides the abundance
of trash, created by man, we encounter during our leisure swimming and wave riding. We are
only reminded of destructive natural forces of the ocean when such disaster strikes and affects
the human body count. In this case, Tsunami is a form of natural disaster that sweeps and
destroys homes, cars, trees, and many life forms, including humans. In Physical Oceanography,
we watched a video by National Geographic that informed its viewers about how Tsunami’s are
formed and explicitly described a Tsunami’s destructive force. To understand the complexity of
a Tsunami, we need to know how waves are first formed and what Tsunamis are caused by.
Understanding something as big as a Tsunami, we must start small – waves. It is vital to
learn about and be informed about ocean waves in order for appropriate coastal development. In
any case, waves derive energy from the wind; it is a surge of energy through water. Waves move
in circular motions underwater; they will always return to their original position in the water. Of
course mathematical terms would become relevant to measure a wave. A wave’s base is directly
related to how far this certain wave is from the surface. The diameter of the circle decreases as
we go deeper into the ocean. This is because there is more pressure, and it would require more
energy for a wave to develop and be able to rotate in their original position. There is also less
energy and free movement in the deeper parts of the water. On the other hand, the diameter of
the circle increases in shallower waters. This is because of the ability of free movement from the
surface and less pressure. In addition, this is what allows waves to be surfed. As a wave rotates,
pressure accumulates which makes it unable to withstand the pressure, and the wave breaks off
before rotating into a full circle. Waves seem small and harmless until they develop into giant
destructive Tsunami’s – which we would not expect in our everyday lives.
Tsunamis are subjected to and take part in many legends, folktales, tall tales, stories, and
even history throughout an abundance of cultures and the world. These humongous, destructive,
natural forces are called Seismic Sea Waves. To start with, Tsunamis are mainly caused by and
followed after earthquakes. It is a disaster that rolls in after another disaster. These earthquakes
and tsunamis are tremendously fast-moving. This causes it to stir up deep sea sediments.
Tsunamis do not occur often, but when it does, the rush of heavy ocean waves will only stop at
their own accord. Tsunamis tend to occur mainly after large earthquakes; however it is not a
guaranteed possibility that a tsunami will form. To generate a tsunami, earthquakes are required
to occur underneath or near the ocean. These earthquakes also need to be large and create enough
movement in the sea floor where sediments begin slumping causing energy transfer from the
Earth’s crust to ocean water. Large earthquakes are one of warning signs of a tsunami.
All in all, Tsunamis are complex wave forms caused by large earthquakes. The sea starts
as innocent, small waves with shallow waters. Further along, the vast ocean holds the capacity of
many life forms and nature’s works. A work like, Tsunamis, attack the shores head on and can
go deep into the land. The history of these large seismic sea waves are recorded as destructive
forces, takes many lives, and destroys anything and everything in their path. They are forces
created by nature, and once started, it cannot be stopped by any man. Regardless, beaches are
meant for fun and games; however, we must be wary for our lives. Do not go to the beach after
an earthquake!