In the moment of a great tidal wave, commonly referred to as a tsunami, occurring during a full moon, several factors come into play:
1. Tidal forces: The gravitational pull of the moon and the sun is responsible for the tides in the Earth's oceans. During a full moon, the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned, resulting in increased gravitational force exerted on the Earth's oceans. This alignment can potentially enhance the tidal forces and contribute to the intensity of the tidal wave.
2. Energy transmission: When a tsunami is generated, it propagates through the ocean as a series of powerful waves. The energy from the underwater disturbance, which could be caused by an earthquake, volcanic eruption, or landslide, is transferred horizontally across the ocean surface. The full moon does not directly impact the generation or transmission of this energy but can coincide with the occurrence of a tsunami.
3. Observation: The full moon provides additional light during the nighttime, allowing for better visibility to observe the effects of the tidal wave. This visibility can aid in emergency response efforts and mitigating further risks associated with the tsunami.
It is important to note that a tsunami is primarily caused by seismic activity, not by the phase of the moon. The occurrence of a full moon coinciding with a tsunami event does not inherently affect the generation or magnitude of the tsunami. The primary contributing factor to the strength of a tsunami is the energy released from an earthquake or other underwater disturbance.