Mikayla+Montgomery

= **Tsunamis ** = = =

= Some Facts About Tsunamis =

= = = = Tsunamis are a series of waves that grow bigger as it hits the surface. They're caused by large bodies of water that get misplaced. Tsunamis cause damage when they hit the surface. They cause houses to fall and can destroy anything in its path, similar to that of a tornado. They may also be called tidal waves. //-Tsu// means harbor and -//nami// means wave in Japanese. In Japan, they sometimes call theses waves harbor waves. They can travel for miles and not lose any energy. The waves of a tsunami are called a wave train. == = =

=Damages and What Causes Tsunamis =

= = = = An earthquake can cause a tsunami, if the quake occurred in the ocean or water. They can also be caused by a landslide in the middle of the ocean. Waves can be up to 60 miles long and can move across an ocean, without losing energy. Tsunamis can demolish coastal communities within minutes.  In 1850, there was a loss of 420,000 people and billions of dollars in damage. Tsunamis are commonly caused by earthquakes in marine coastal areas. A tsunami's wave length gets wider until it hits the surface, it doesn't complete the cycle. Not just earthquakes cause tsunamis. Volcanoes and landslides can also cause tsunamis. == = media type="custom" key="5996877" = = =

= Safety Tips to Help Have Less Damage =

= = = =  1. People can build high, strong walls. 2. Flood gates and channels help keep the percent of damage lower and, with these, they help redirect the waves somewhere else. 3. Make sure there is a plan. 4. Listen to people when there is a warning 5. Get on the highest part of land there is. 6. Don't go to a beach just to see a tsunami; it could cost you your life. 7. Just because there is one wave and there is a lot of time in between doesn't mean its over; there are probably more waves coming. 8. If there is an area that is at risk for a tsunami, always be prepared for the worst to come. 9. If there is a tsunami coming, get on high lands. = Warning signs =

= = Some warning signs are that the waves are growing bigger. When their is an earthquake, it is possible there will be a tsunami sometime after it. There might be a rise in water levels. Tsunamis sometimes have a sound like a siren before they arrive. If you live close to a tsunami area, have practices for when they come and have a plan. If your in open water, don't go to shore; the tsunami can cause big changes in water level. If the water is receding fast, it's another sign that a tsunami is coming. When there is one coming, there will be a siren going off to tell people to evacuate quickly. If there is a tsunami coming, there will be an evacuation plan to get everyone out of the area. = = = =

= = = = = = = = http://www.tsunami.noaa.gov/terminology.html http://www.buzzle.com/articles/tsunami-facts.html = = http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070402-tsunami.html http://ezinearticles.com/?Tsunami-Warning-Signs&id=283550 http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/09/090929-tsunami-warning-samoa-earthquake.html