How do tsunamis form and what do we have to do?

We have heard of tsunamis numerous times. These are seismic waves caused by a series of huge waves from an underwater earthquake. It can be also formed by a landslide, a volcanic eruption or a meteorite.

We have seen the serious impacts and damage that can be caused when a tsunami occurs. Do we know how they are formed and what to do in the event of a tsunami warning?

How a tsunami forms

Offshore, tsunami waves can be thousands of kilometers long and equally wide apart. Also, deep in the ocean, waves can travel as fast as a jet, reaching 600 miles per hour (almost XNUMX kilometers per hour) and, upon reaching shore, create waves of more than 30 meters.

Tsunami waves do not gain height until they approach the coast. For this reason, ships working on the high seas cannot notice tsunamis, since the waves are barely high.

Although not all tsunamis end up causing damage, they are all potentially dangerous, since a wave that starts out at 12 inches, the waves produced by the underwater earthquake can reach 100 feet high they are expanding in all directions and when they reach the coast they gain height.

When the earthquake occurs, how long does it take for the waves to reach the shore? Well this depends on the type of tsunami. There are two types:

• The first, the so-called "local" or "near the epicenter" that can be formed by earthquakes in the vicinity and that take only a few minutes to reach the coast.
• The second type of tsunami is "distant epicenter" and is caused by an earthquake hundreds of miles away and may take from three to 22 hours to reach the coastal areas.

What is done in the event of a tsunami?

To recognize the existence of a tsunami you have to give these signals:

• On the beach you can see how the coastline recedes.
• If you are on the beach and you feel an earthquake that is prolonged or capable of destabilizing people, you know that a tsunami will take place.
• Feel a great roar coming from the sea

When these signals are given, you should go inland, leave the coast and climb as high as possible in altitude.