Question

charles was studying the tsunami that hit japan in march, 2011. more than 18,000 people were killed. the water from the tsunami reached heights of 40 meters higher than usual. what are two possible causes for such a tsunami? name each cause, and explain how each can lead to a tsunami.

Explanation:

1. Submarine Earthquake: When a large undersea earthquake occurs, tectonic plates shift vertically, displacing a massive volume of ocean water. This sudden displacement creates powerful, fast-moving waves that build into a tsunami as they reach shallow coastal areas.
2. Underwater Landslide: A large underwater landslide (often triggered by an earthquake) can push a huge amount of water outward. The displaced water forms a series of waves that propagate across the ocean, growing in height as they approach land to become a tsunami.

Answer:

1. Submarine Earthquake: Vertical shifts in tectonic plates under the ocean displace massive volumes of water, generating fast-moving waves that develop into tsunamis as they reach shallow coastal regions.
2. Underwater Landslide: A large undersea landslide displaces a significant amount of ocean water, creating outward-moving waves that increase in height near shore, forming a tsunami.