Final answer:
Storm surges are more frequent and cause significant annual damage due to the increasing intensity of hurricanes. Tsunamis are less frequent but have the potential for catastrophic impact, as demonstrated by the 2004 Indian Ocean event.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing tsunamis and storm surges, we find that storm surges occur more frequently, particularly during hurricane seasons. Storm surges are a sudden rise in sea level caused by strong winds from a storm or hurricane, and they are quite common during these events. On the other hand, tsunamis are typically the result of underwater earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions. Both phenomena can be very destructive, but tsunamis can be exceptionally devastating when they hit, as evidenced by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which had a staggering death toll. Overall, storm surges tend to occur more often and can cause significant damage annually, especially with the increasing frequency and intensity of hurricanes. However, tsunamis, though less frequent, have the potential to cause catastrophic damage when they occur.