Final answer:
Tsunamis are more devastating due to their potentially massive heights and energy, which can cause widespread destruction upon making landfall, as opposed to the less energetic tidal waves and wind surface waves.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tsunamis are more damaging than tidal waves or wind surface waves because they carry immense energy from their geological disturbances and result in catastrophic impacts when they make landfall.
A tsunami is more damaging because it can rise dramatically near the coast, with heights up to 30 meters, and holds incredibly long wavelengths and periods, thus releasing vast amounts of energy upon impact. In contrast, tidal waves and wind surface waves are generally less energetic and destructive.
A tsunami, caused by underwater disturbances like earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions, grows tremendously as it approaches shallow coastal waters. Its devastating power comes from its ability to move vast quantities of water with immense force over great distances. While in deep ocean, a tsunami's potential danger is not apparent, with waves less than 30 cm high. However, as it reaches the shallower continental shelf, the speed decreases and the wave's energy compresses, increasing its height significantly, sometimes exceeding 30 meters. The wavelength of a tsunami can span up to 100 kilometers, and the wave period can last an hour, allowing it to carry and release enormous energy over long distances. Hence, when a tsunami hits, it can inundate coastlines, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, for instance, caused a catastrophic death toll of over 280,000. In comparison, tidal waves generated by gravitational pulls and wind surface waves caused by wind energy transfers are limited in height, energy, and destructive capability. Therefore, tsunamis are far more capable of causing severe and widespread damage than their tidal or wind-driven counterparts.