Question

Charles was studying the tsunami that hit Japan in March, 2011. More than 18,000 people were killed. The water from the tsunami reachedheights of 40 meters higher than usual. Large waves are also caused by strong winds that blow over wide areas of ocean. How do tsunamis differ from waves caused by strong winds?

Answer 1

Tsunamis involve both deep water and surface water, but waves caused by wind involve only surface water.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tsunamis and waves caused by strong winds differ in several ways. One of the main differences is their cause. Waves caused by strong winds are the result of energy transfer from the wind to the water, whereas tsunamis are typically caused by seismic activity, such as earthquakes or underwater landslides.

Another key difference is the speed at which they travel. Waves caused by winds generally travel at speeds of 10 to 30 miles per hour, while tsunamis can travel at speeds of up to 600 miles per hour. Tsunamis also have a much longer wavelength and much greater energy than wind-generated waves.

In addition, the effects of tsunamis can be much more severe and destructive than those of wind-generated waves. Tsunamis can travel great distances and inundate coastal areas with large volumes of water, causing significant damage and loss of life. Wind-generated waves, on the other hand, typically affect only a relatively small area and are generally not as destructive.