Portal:Tsunamis

The Tsunami portal

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami at Ao Nang, Krabi Province, Thailand

A tsunami (/(t)suːˈnɑːmi, (t)sʊˈ-/ (t)soo-NAH-mee, (t)suu-; from Japanese: 津波, lit. 'harbour wave', pronounced [tsɯnami]) is a series of waves in a water body caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, generally in an ocean or a large lake. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, underwater explosions, landslides, glacier calvings, meteorite impacts and other disturbances above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami. Unlike normal ocean waves, which are generated by wind, or tides, which are in turn generated by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun, a tsunami is generated by the displacement of water from a large event.

Selected article

Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope was a worldwide benefit held for the tsunami victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. It was broadcast on NBC and its affiliated networks of USA Network, Bravo, PAX, MSNBC, CNBC, Sci-Fi, Trio, Telemundo and other NBC Universal stations and was heard on any Clear Channel radio station. The benefit was led by the actor George Clooney on January 15, 2005, and was similar to America: A Tribute to Heroes (set up after the September 11th, 2001 attacks). Digital Media innovator Jay Samit enabled viewers to purchase digital downloads of the performances as a new way to raise money for the cause; including live recordings by Elton John, Madonna, Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton, Roger Waters and Diana Ross. Taking a cue from Bob Geldof (the man who had organized the Live Aid concerts for African famine relief), it consisted of famous Hollywood entertainers and former American presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. It was two hours long with stories and entertainment from a huge array of Hollywood notables that include Brad Pitt, Donald Trump, and much more. It was estimated to raise at least five million dollars by the end of the broadcast. (Full article...)

List of selected articles

Events that can cause a tsunami

Scheme of a submarine eruption. 1) Water vapor cloud; 2) Water; 3) Stratum; 4) Lava flow; 5) Magma conduit; 6) Magma chamber; 7) Dike; 8) Pillow lava

Submarine eruptions are volcano eruptions which take place beneath the surface of water. These occur at constructive margins, subduction zones, and within tectonic plates due to hotspots. This eruption style is far more prevalent than subaerial activity. For example, it is believed that 70 to 80% of the Earth's magma output takes place at mid-ocean ridges. (Full article...)

List of events articles

Did you know...

... that the Aitape Skull may be part of the remains of the oldest known tsunami victim?
... that the village office on the islet of Koja Doi was destroyed by a tsunami in 1992, after which it was rebuilt across a causeway on the larger Besar Island?
... that the Yonezawa Shokai Building is the only building left in the former city center of Rikuzentakata after it was destroyed by a tsunami?
... that Souraja survived the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami unscathed?

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General images

The following are images from various tsunami-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1Over-riding plate bulges under strain, causing tectonic uplift. (from Tsunami)
Image 2Diagram showing several measures to describe a tsunami size, including height, inundation and run-up (from Tsunami)
Image 3Satellite image of Lake Kivu (from Tsunamis in lakes)
Image 4The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami at Ao Nang, Krabi Province, Thailand (from Tsunami)
Image 5An illustration of the rhythmic "drawback" of surface water associated with a wave. It follows that a very large drawback may herald the arrival of a very large wave. (from Tsunami)
Image 6Plate slips, causing subsidence and releasing energy into water. (from Tsunami)
Image 7Mast with warning system, and sign detailing escape routes, on the coast of Okumatsushima, Miyagi prefecture, Japan (this coast was severely hit by the 2011 tsunami) (from Tsunami warning system)
Image 8One of the deep water buoys used in the DART tsunami warning system (from Tsunami)
Image 9Evacuation route sign on the pavement in Kamakura, Japan (from Tsunami warning system)
Image 10Tsunami aftermath in Aceh, Indonesia, December 2004 (from Tsunami)
Image 11Lisbon earthquake and tsunami in November 1755 (from Tsunami)
Image 12The wave further slows and amplifies as it hits land. Only the largest waves crest. (from Tsunami)
Image 13Calculated travel time map for the 1964 Alaska tsunami (in hours) (from Tsunami)
Image 14Japanese Tsunami warning sign (from Tsunami warning system)
Image 15When the wave enters shallow water, it slows down and its amplitude (height) increases. (from Tsunami)
Image 16Tsunami Early Warning Tower board in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka (from Tsunami warning system)
Image 17Tsunami warning system in East Timor (from Tsunami warning system)
Image 18Diagram showing how earthquakes can generate a tsunami (from Tsunamis in lakes)
Image 19A seawall at Tsu, Mie Prefecture in Japan
Image 20Drawing of tectonic plate boundary before earthquake (from Tsunami)
Image 21The energy released produces tsunami waves. (from Tsunami)
Image 22Evacuation route sign in a low-lying coastal area on the West Coast of the United States (from Tsunami warning system)

Selected tsunami article

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Kyrgyzstan	3	3	0	8	0	+8	9	Winner
2	Indonesia (H)	3	2	1	7	3	+4	6	Runner–up
3	Mongolia	2	0	2	2	6	−4	0	Third place
4	Brunei	2	0	2	0	8	−8	0

Source:
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(H) Hosts

(Full article...)

Selected tsunami articles

In the news

28 July 2026 – 2026 Kumamoto earthquake: A M_w 7.1 earthquake strikes central Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, causing a tsunami alert for the western Kyūshū coast. At least 13 people are killed. (CNN)
17 July 2026 – 2026 Chiapas earthquake: A M_w 7.3 earthquake strikes near the coast of Chiapas, Mexico. Tsunami warnings are issued and at least two people are injured. (ABC7) (BBC News) (The Weather Network)
8 June 2026 – 2026 Mindanao earthquake: Tsunamis are recorded in Guam, Palau and parts of Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) cancels its tsunami advisory issued for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands; while agencies in Australia, Malaysia, and New Zealand lift their respective warnings. The PTWC later confirms that the tsunami threat passes hours following its issuance of the warning for parts of the Pacific. (BBC News) (NHK) (The Straits Times) (RNZ) (tsunami.gov)