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15 votes
Simple question.

Why do tsunamis do most of their damage onshore, and not in the middle of the ocean?

User Travis Su
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2 Answers

1 vote

Answer:

As the tsunami waves become compressed near the coast, the wavelength is shortened and the wave energy is directed upward - thus increasing their heights considerably. Just as with ordinary surf, the energy of the tsunami waves must be contained in a smaller volume of water, so the waves grow in height. and they can't do damage out in the middle of the ocean because there is not much to damage out in sea

Step-by-step explanation:

User Jcardenete
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5.0k points
6 votes

Answer:

im assuming its due to something like water on water not eing as bad as the thwap of water on land. this wasnt a test question was it?

Step-by-step explanation:

User Nickpish
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4.0k points