A Tsunami Has Hit The Pacific – This Is How They Form And What People Can Expect

Ilona Froehlich on Unsplash" />A large tsunami wave crashing.Today, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s far eastern coast resulted in tsunami warnings and evacuations across the Pacific. According to the BBC, this earthquake is believed to be one of the most powerful ever recorded and millions of people across Japan, Russia and Hawaii have been ordered to evacuate due to the resulting tsunami.So far, no fatalities have been reported but buildings have been destroyed and ports submerged by this extreme weather event.What exactly are tsunamis?According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: “A tsunami is a series of extremely long waves caused by a large and sudden displacement of the ocean, usually the result of an earthquake below or near the ocean floor.”This force then creates waves that “radiate outward in all directions away from their source, sometimes crossing entire ocean basins.”Unlike the wind-driven waves that we are used to seeing, tsunamis move throughout the entire ocean – from the ocean floor right to the surface. What causes tsunamis?According to the U.S Tsunami Warning System, 88% of tsunamis in the Global Historical Tsunami Database were generated by earthquakes or landslides caused by earthquakes.However, they can also be caused by volcanic activity, underwater landslides or even by the impact of a large meteorite plunging into an ocean, according to National Geographic.What happens when tsunamis hit land?While evacuations may seem like an extreme measure, the National Weather Service explains that tsunamis don’t need to be record-breaking to cause lasting harm.They say: “A tsunami can be very dangerous to coastal life and property. It can produce unusually strong currents, rapidly flood land and cause great destruction. The flow and force of the water and the debris it carries can destroy boats, vehicles, and buildings and other structures; cause injuries; and take lives as the tsunami moves across the land.“It only takes six inches of fast-moving water to knock over an adult and two feet of fast-moving water to carry away most vehicles.”Alarmingly, even once the waves retreat to the ocean, they can still be incredibly dangerous: “The water can be just as threatening (if not more so) as it returns to the sea, taking debris and people with it. Flooding and dangerous currents can last for days.”What you should do if a tsunami warning is issuedWhile tsunamis are very unlikely in the UK, if a warning is issued while you’re abroad, ensure that you follow all government advice.The American Red Cross has a guide for tsunami warnings if you’d like to be prepared in case of tsunami.Related...The Most Accurate Weather App Has Finally Been IdentifiedHere's What A Red Weather Warning Actually Means, And What To Do If You've Been Given OneExposure To These Weather Conditions May Increase Dementia Risk

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'Over-evacuation' may have prompted traffic problems before tsunami hit Hawaii, officials say

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