Meaning in geology & earth sciences, with examples
/tsuːˈnɑːmi/nounCore term
In geology & earth sciences, tsunami means: A series of very long sea waves caused by a sudden movement of the sea floor, usually an undersea earthquake, but sometimes a landslide or volcanic eruption.
In Turkish: tsunami, dev dalga
How it is used
A Japanese word used worldwide. A tsunami is generated or triggered and strikes or hits a coast. Warning centres issue tsunami warnings after large undersea earthquakes. In deep water the waves are low and fast; they grow high near the coast.
Example sentences
The earthquake triggered a small tsunami that flooded the harbour.
If the sea suddenly pulls back from the shore, a tsunami may be coming.
Common collocations
tsunami warning
trigger a tsunami
tsunami hazard
tsunami wave
Related terms
earthquakeA sudden shaking of the ground caused by rocks breaking and slipping along a fault, which releases energy as seismic waves.
subductionThe process in which one tectonic plate, usually an oceanic one, sinks beneath another plate and down into the mantle at a convergent boundary.
seismic hazardThe likelihood that a given place will experience earthquake shaking of a certain strength within a certain period of time.
landslideThe sudden movement of a mass of rock, soil or debris down a slope, often triggered by heavy rain, earthquakes or construction work.
