A wave is formed when air and water molecules collide and energy from the wind is transferred to the water. An Ocean wave is a ridge or a swell on the surface of a body of water. They are oscillatory surface water movements resulting in the rise and fall of surface water.
- Waves are the horizontal movements of ocean water.
- They are the energy that moves across the ocean surface, not the water itself.
- The wind provides this energy for the waves.
- Each water particle in a wave moves in a circular motion.
- The raised portion of a wave is known as the crest, while the low point is known as the trough.
Tsunami
They are giant tidal waves that begin from the depth of oceans and violently land on seashores. Underwater earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are the primary causes of tsunamis. Initially, these tidal waves are small where the sea is deep; they can grow up to a hundred feet after reaching shallow waters.
- The largest tsunami ever recorded hit Lituya Bay, Alaska, on July 9, 1958.
- The massive wave was 1,700 feet tall, and it destroyed everything in a 5 square mile radius.
- However, the average tsunami wave height is only 3 metres (10 feet).
FAQs Related with Wave And Tsunami
Ques 1. What is the difference between a wave and a tsunami?
Ans.Wind, tides, or seismic activity cause surface disturbances known as waves, which exhibit a regular pattern. Large-scale events trigger ocean waves called tsunamis, which have longer wavelengths and higher amplitudes. They can travel across ocean basins, resulting in devastating effects upon reaching coastal areas.
Ques 2. How are waves and tsunamis formed?
Ans. Wind energy transfers to the water surface, forming waves that start as ripples and grow into larger waves. Tsunamis result from sudden vertical movements of the ocean floor during seismic events, generating powerful waves due to the displacement of large volumes of water.
Ques 3. What are the main characteristics and impacts of waves and tsunamis?
Ans. Regular waves have distinct characteristics and are essential for coastal processes, while tsunamis have long wavelengths and cause devastating coastal flooding and destruction of infrastructure.
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