Tsunami

Essay on Tsunami

There are different kinds of natural calamities or disasters time and again on the earth. A natural calamity means a disaster caused by nature. One of the natural disasters is tsunamis. It is an extremely large wave in the sea caused, for example, by an earthquake or volcano. It is a Japanese word from two elements, tsu ‘harbor’ and nami ‘waves’.

A tsunami is a series of great ocean waves created by submarine earth movements caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides beneath the ocean. A tsunami may also be caused by an asteroid striking the earth.

As it is a wave that generally occurs in or nearby the sea, it is called a wave in or near the sea. The most destructive tsunami before the one on December 26, 2004, occurred following the eruption of the volcano Krakatau in the East Indies on august 27, 1883, when over 36,000 people were killed.

An earthquake, volcanic eruption, or landslide occurred beneath the ocean (submarine). A tsunami could also be caused if an asteroid struck the earth. When there are a tsunami great ocean waves are started and roll along the ocean floor very fast.

In the open ocean, tsunamis may have wavelengths of up to several hundred miles and travel at speeds up to 450 mi per hour (720 km per hr), yet have wave heights of less than three feet (one meter), which pass unnoticed beneath ships at sea.

When these great ocean waves reach shallow coastal waters, they are slowed, causing their length to shorten and their height to form waves about 100 feet (30 meters) high. The first indication is often a sharp swell, followed by a sudden outrush of water that often exposes offshore areas as the first wave trough reaches the coast.

After several minutes, the first huge wave crests strikes, and rushes inland to flood the coast. Generally, the third to eighth-wave crests are the largest. When they break, they often destroy piers, buildings, and beaches and take human life. The wave height as they crash upon a shore depends almost upon the submarine topography offshore.

Disadvantages of tsunamis

Certainly, here are 20 disadvantages of ‘Tsunami’:

1. High Death Toll: Tsunamis have the potential to cause massive loss of life, as they can strike without warning and overwhelm coastal communities.
2. Property Damage: Tsunamis can cause significant damage to buildings, homes, and infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and ports.
3. Economic Impact: The destruction caused by tsunamis can have a devastating effect on local economies, disrupting businesses and trade.
4. Long-Term Displacement: Tsunamis can force people to relocate, either temporarily or permanently, often leading to long-term displacement and difficulties in resettling.
5. Environmental Damage: Tsunamis can cause significant damage to coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs and marine habitats.
6. Pollution: Tsunamis can also lead to pollution of coastal waters, as debris and chemicals are swept into the sea.
7. Public Health Risks: Tsunamis can pose public health risks, such as the spread of diseases due to contaminated water or lack of access to medical facilities.
8. Social Disruption: Tsunamis can cause social disruption, leading to stress, anxiety, and mental health issues for affected communities.
9. Disruption of Critical Infrastructure: Tsunamis can disrupt critical infrastructure such as power and water supplies, making it difficult for people to access basic necessities.
10. Destruction of Agricultural Lands: Tsunamis can also destroy agricultural lands, leading to food scarcity and hunger.
11. Destruction of Fishing Communities: Tsunamis can have a devastating impact on fishing communities, destroying boats, nets, and other equipment, and leaving fishermen without livelihoods.
12. Disruption of Transportation: Tsunamis can disrupt transportation, making it difficult for people to evacuate or access emergency services.
13. Damage to Historic Sites: Tsunamis can damage or destroy historic sites, leading to the loss of cultural heritage.
14. Negative Impact on Tourism: Tsunamis can have a negative impact on tourism, affecting the livelihoods of people who rely on the industry for income.
15. Difficulty in Reconstruction: Rebuilding after a tsunami can be difficult and time-consuming, especially in remote or impoverished areas.
16. Inadequate Warning Systems: In some cases, warning systems may not be in place or may be inadequate, leading to a lack of preparedness and increased loss of life.
17. Vulnerability of Low-Lying Areas: Low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable to tsunamis, as they can be inundated by large waves.
18. High Risk of Coastal Erosion: Tsunamis can contribute to coastal erosion, which can lead to the loss of land and damage to infrastructure.
19. Limited Resources for Emergency Response: In some areas, resources for emergency response may be limited, making it difficult to respond effectively to a tsunami.
20. Psychological Trauma: Survivors of a tsunami may experience psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can have long-term effects on their mental health.

Causes of Tsunami

Certainly, here are 20 causes of ‘Tsunamis’:

1. Earthquakes: The most common cause of tsunamis is underwater earthquakes. When the earth’s crust moves and shifts, it can cause massive waves in the ocean.
2. Volcanic Eruptions: Volcanic eruptions that occur on or near the ocean can also cause tsunamis by displacing large volumes of water.
3. Landslides: Large landslides or rockfalls into bodies of water can displace water and create large waves that can become a tsunami.
4. Meteor Impacts: Large meteor impacts in or near the ocean can also create tsunamis.
5. Glacier Calving: Large pieces of ice breaking off from glaciers can create large waves that can become a tsunami.
6. Underwater Explosions: Nuclear testing or other underwater explosions can displace water and create large waves.
7. Storm Surges: Large storm systems, such as hurricanes or typhoons, can cause storm surges that can develop into tsunamis.
8. Sea Level Changes: Changes in sea level due to tides or other factors can also cause tsunamis.
9. Geomorphological Events: Geological events, such as submarine landslides, can cause tsunamis.
10. Underwater Avalanches: Large underwater avalanches can also cause tsunamis.
11. Glacial Outbursts: Sudden releases of water from glaciers can create waves that can become a tsunami.
12. Underwater Volcanic Eruptions: Volcanic eruptions that occur underwater can displace large amounts of water and create tsunamis.
13. Fault Movements: Fault movements on the ocean floor can also create tsunamis.
14. Underwater Landslides: Underwater landslides can create large waves that can become a tsunami.
15. Iceberg Calving: Large pieces of ice breaking off from icebergs can create waves that can become a tsunami.
16. Climate Change: Climate change can cause sea level rise, which can increase the risk of tsunamis.
17. Coastal Erosion: Coastal erosion can create conditions that increase the risk of tsunamis.
18. Human Activity: Human activity, such as offshore drilling or construction, can cause events that increase the risk of tsunamis.
19. Infrastructure Damage: Damage to infrastructure such as dams or levees can increase the risk of tsunamis.
20. Ocean Currents: Changes in ocean currents can create conditions that increase the risk of tsunamis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a tsunami is a vast natural calamity. It is caused by many causes. But natural disasters and calamities are caused by human activities. So we are responsible for them it is our duty to control them. For this, we should not destroy forests and wild animals. If we protect them, they can protect us in return. Though we cannot control all these calamities, we can be conscious and save life and property from disasters.