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 **__Tsunami __** **__Waves of Destruction__**

A tsunami is a series of strong and fierce waves that hit land and cause destruction. Tsunamis are caused by movement on the ocean floor (fissure) such as an earthquake. The lithosphere is broken up into tectonic plates which cause earthquakes - there are 7 major ones and many minor. Tectonic plates are made up of the crust and the upper mantle rock which is lighter then more dense mantle. The plates move in relation to one another at one of three types of plate boundaries: convergent or collision, divergent or spreading, and transform boundaries. The formation of a tsunami occur along the plate boundaries. Tsunamis have become big problems these days such as the tsunami in Japan that happened recently.




 * ﻿ ** Tsunamis occur in a four part sequence. Firstly, there is a drawing of the tectonic plates before the earthquake. Secondly, the overriding plate moves under strain causing a tectonic uplift. Next, the plate slips, causing subsidence and releasing energy into the water. Lastly, the energy released creates tsunami waves that hit the land and cause destruction.

There is a large effect on the land in which the tsunami hits. There is a great loss of life, a lot of property damage, economical loss. There is no clean water, diseases spread, they can even wipe out towns. It causes damages to infrastructure and kills lots of animals. One of the worst tsunamis was the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. This natural disaster killed more than 200,000 people. The tsunami hit 8 countries - India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Malaysia, Somalia, Thailand, and Myanmar). The country that was hardest hit was Indonesia which suffered from huge waves and killed large numbers of people.



Of course in modern day technology there is ways to detect the tsunamis when they are formed. They are well known as Tsunami Warning Centers. When there is a tsunami the warning centers get the info from buoys that have been placed in the middle of the ocean. Once they are sure there is a tsunami coming they ring the siren and get people to evacuate the area. In places like Hawaii that are vulnerable it is very dangerous tsunami wise, so therefore it is essential to have Tsunami Warning Centers there.



This is our man made tsunmai! This is our design to help you survive.