Natural Disasters: Tsunami’s By- Andrew Ammentorp and Joseph Rainer

Tsunami’s- Definition A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water. typically an ocean or a large lake. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other underwater explosions (including detonations of underwater nuclear devices), landslides, glacier calvings, meteorite impacts and other disturbances above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami.

When and where are they most likely to happen? Tsunamis are most likely to occur along areas of high tectonic activity, which is the trigger of Tsunamis in the first place. Areas of high tectonic activity are near the edges of plates, like the Pacific-North American plate and the Indian plate.

Most historical event The earthquake that generated the great Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 is estimated to have released the energy of 23,000 Hiroshima-type atomic bombs, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). By the end of the day more than 150,000 people were dead or missing and millions more were homeless in 11 countries, making it perhaps the most destructive tsunami in history.

The most recent tsunami Apr. 11, 2012 -- Sumatra

What damage is caused? Tsunamis will definitely cause casualties and injuries. Tsunamis, as they originate from the sea, will wash fishing boats and other boats such as cruise ships onto shore. The boats will be stuck on shore and usually wrecked from the forces of the wave. The waves will also cause fish to be washed onto shore and stuck there to die. They can also flood the lands near the shore, causing people to die from them. This will damage the crops and cause nearby buildings to collapse. Some people might be trapped under the buildings and die. They uproot trees too, causing them to fall on houses and people. Lastly, they cause economic decline as they have to spend a lot of money rebuilding the houses and restoring the original landscape, especially if it is a beautiful resort. They would also have to compensate the victims' families as a form of comforting. They would also face a decrease in tourism.

How are animals affected some sea animals close to shore can be washed up on shore and killed. land animals can be drowned, crushed, or sucked into the ocean. Animals far out enough are usually not affected in the least