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The Devastating Power of Tsunamis: 15 Essential Facts to Remember

Throughout history, humanity has faced several catastrophic events some large enough to be categorized as existential risks. From world wars to plagues and pandemics such as the bubonic plague and Covid-19, humanity has always prevailed.

However, despite technological advancements, natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, and volcanic eruptions still remain a threat to effectively millions of people. Take for example the recent (February 2023) earthquakes in Turkey and Syria that have left thousands dead, and injured, and destroyed hundreds of homes and residencies.

As far as natural disasters go, Tsunamis are up there with the most menacing and devastating of them. They are powerful waves caused by a variety of factors, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and even meteor impacts.

Mostly affecting coastal regions, Tsunamis are some of the most destructive natural disasters that can cause widespread devastation, leaving a trail of destruction and loss of life in their wake. So, Let鈥檚 learn of the devastating power of Tsunamis.

1. Tsunamis Are Caused by Various Factors

Volcanic eruption by Yosh Ginsu on

Say what you will about tsunamis, but you can’t claim they are predictable. They can be brought about by various factors mostly natural disasters. The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan were caused by a massive undersea earthquake.

Read about some of the deadliest natural disasters in Japan here!

Another cause of tsunamis is volcanic eruptions. The 1883 Krakatoa eruption in Indonesia, created a tsunami that traveled across the Indian Ocean and claimed over 36,000 lives. Other causes of tsunamis can include landslides, meteor impacts, and even the collapse of underwater ice shelves.

2. Tsunamis Can Cause Other Natural Disasters

Devastating landslide in Sierra Leone by Trocaire –

Tsunamis are often the result of natural disasters such as earthquakes, but ironically, they can also cause additional natural disasters. It’s a classic case of the chicken and the egg.

One of the most common ways tsunamis can trigger secondary disasters is through soil liquefaction. This is where the ground becomes unstable and can lead to landslides or sinkholes.

3. They Can Reach Speeds of Up To 600 Miles Per Hour (965km/h)

Tsunamis are infamous for their tremendous power and sheer force. However, this power is achieved due to the incredibly high speeds with which they approach the shorelines.

The speed of a tsunami is dependent on many factors including the depth of the water, the epicenter of the triggering earthquake, wind, and even the topography of the sea floor. While there is no single tsunami recorded as the fastest, in the deep ocean waters they reach speeds of around 600 miles per hour (965 km/h).

The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan is an example of a fast tsunami. It approached the shore at speeds of up to 435 miles per hour (700 km/h). Its speed contributed to the destructive force of the tsunami, which caused widespread damage to coastal communities and claimed thousands of lives.

4. Tsunamis Can Travel Across Oceans

Depiction of a tsunami wave by Katsushika Hokusai –

A scary fact about tsunamis is that they can travel across entire ocean basins, covering thousands of kilometers before reaching shore. A significant disturbance on one end of a continent could mean doom for one end in another.

Normal ocean waves are driven mostly by wind and only affect the water’s surface. Tsunamis, on the other hand, are generated from a significant disturbance in the earth鈥檚 crust. This, therefore, means that they form large waves that involve the movement of water throughout an ocean鈥檚 depth.

Because of this, they are able to spread and gain momentum faster and travel faster over long distances. Another thing tsunamis have going for them is their long wavelengths. Some have wavelengths of several hundred kilometers.

This enables them to cover large grounds without losing momentum. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 1960 Chilean tsunami, and the 2011 Tohoku tsunami are some tsunamis that crossed an ocean body.

5. Can Strike with Little to No Warning

The time between calmness and mayhem as far as tsunamis are concerned is very limited. Tsunamis move fast as we have seen above and this coupled with the fact that there is little to no warning before one is a very complete recipe for a disaster.

However, there are systems in place that can detect earthquakes and other events that may trigger a tsunami, providing valuable time for communities to prepare and evacuate. In addition to early warning systems, efforts can also be made to prevent or mitigate the impact of tsunamis. Such as building seawalls, developing evacuation plans, and educating communities on preparedness and response.

6. The deadliest One is the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

A photograph of the 2004 tsunami in Ao Nang, Krabi Province, Thailand by David Rydevi –

On December 26th, 2004, a tragedy of immense proportions struck in the form of what became known as the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The tsunami started as a consequence of an earthquake (magnitude 9.1 on the Richter scale) that hit the coast of Indonesia at 7:59 AM on the same day.

Over the next seven hours, a series of waves (Tsunami) crossed the Indian ocean devastating coastal areas in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and East Africa among others. 

In some locations, it was reported that the waves hitting the shoreline were as high as 30 feet (9 meters)! That is approximately the height of a 3-story building. In the ocean, the tsunami was about 100 feet high and traveled at speeds of up to 500 miles per hour! To put it in context, the fastest F1 car in an official race is 231.4 miles per hour!

The Indian Ocean Tsunami wiped out entire coastal communities killing a heart-wrenching over 230,000 people. The global response to the tragedy was significant, with countries and organizations around the world providing aid and support to the affected areas. Despite the best efforts of rescue workers and aid organizations, the devastation was so widespread that recovery efforts took years to complete.

7. Their Damage Goes Beyond the Effects on Impact

A village near the coast of Sumatra lays in ruin after the Tsunami that struck South East Asia by U.S. Navy –

There is no debate on the immediate effect that tsunamis have. In a matter of minutes, they have the potential of destroying millions of properties and thousands of lives. However, this is not all, tsunamis have many more long-lasting impacts on communities and ecosystems.

One of the most significant impacts is the disruption to critical infrastructure such as power, water, and transportation systems. This causes significant hardship for affected populations and those who depended on these resources.

The loss of life and displacement of populations can also have social and psychological impacts, including trauma and mental health issues. Tsunamis can also have significant environmental impacts, including damage to coral reefs, destruction of habitats, and pollution from debris and hazardous materials.

8. Even the Smallest One Causes Damage

Having seen what one of the deadliest Tsunamis can do, let鈥檚 take a look at the other end of the spectrum and look into some of the 鈥榮mallest鈥� tsunamis. One of these is the tsunami in Lituya Bay, Alaska in 1958.

Following an earthquake in the region, a landslide occurred sending a massive wave into the bay. Despite reaching heights of up to 1,720 feet (524 meters), the tsunami only affected a small area. There were no casualties but it did alter the landscape and destroyed the surrounding area and trees.

9. Effect Can Be Felt Far Inland

A train that was carried away 200m from Onagawa Station to the foot of hill by the 2011 T艒hoku earthquake and tsunami disaster. Photo by ChiefHira –

Low-lying coastal regions are the most at risk to face the wrath of a raging tsunami. If you鈥檙e reading this far from the shorelines, don鈥檛 be relieved yet. As it turns out, some tsunamis are so strong that their effects can be felt far from the shorelines inland. Like a relentless bogeyman!

However, the distance that tsunamis can travel inland depends on a number of factors, including the strength and size of the waves, the local topography, and the height of the coastline. In some cases, tsunamis have been known to travel several kilometers inland, causing extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure, and natural landscapes.

For example, during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, waves were reported to have traveled as far as 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) inland. In the 2011 Tohoku tsunami in Japan, waves were reported to have traveled as far as 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) inland in some areas.

10. The Frequency and Severity Is Getting Worse

Anxious by Nik Shuliahin 馃挍馃挋 on

I hate to be the harbinger of doom but such is the reality. What do you think is behind this? Climate change! Add this to the long list of reasons we need to get climate change under control.

While tsunamis are caused by natural disasters, climate change is slowly becoming an influential factor in their frequency and severity. Rising sea levels, caused by the melting of glaciers and ice caps, can increase the likelihood and potential impact of tsunamis.

Changes in ocean temperatures and currents can also impact the formation and strength of tsunamis, making them more frequent and potentially more destructive. These are just two of many ways climate change can influence tsunamis.

11. Tsunami Waves Get Stronger Successively

Tsunamis are typically a series of waves. The size and strength of each wave is different. Most of the time the first wave is smaller than the 2nd and maybe 3rd one depending on how many there are.

In some cases, the first wave may be relatively small and manageable, while subsequent waves can be much larger and more destructive. That’s why it’s important to heed tsunami warnings and evacuate to higher ground if advised to do so.

12. They Are Monitored by The Tsunami Warning System (TWS)

Tsunami warning by Genet –

The Tsunami Warning System (TWS) is a system designed to detect and alert people to the potential threat of a tsunami. With 26 member countries, this system has a network of sensors and monitoring stations located in the ocean and along coastlines around the world. These sensors can detect changes in sea level and pressure that may indicate the presence of a tsunami.

The TWS is operated jointly by these 26 nations as well as international organizations. They include; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) in Hawaii.

13. The 鈥楻ing of Fire鈥� Is the Source of Most Tsunamis

Map of the Pacific Ring of Fire and five volcanic mountains on it: Mt. Mayon, Krakatau (Krakatoa), Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Pinatubo, and Mt. Garibaldi. Photo by BlueCaper –

Unless you鈥檙e at a circus nothing good comes from a 鈥榬ing of fire鈥�. In this case, the ring of fire refers to a horseshoe-shaped region in the Pacific Ocean. It has a large number of active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.

This region extends from the western coast of South America, up along the coast of North America, across the Bering Strait, and down through Japan and Southeast Asia. Over 75% of the world’s active and inactive volcanoes are found in the Ring of Fire, which is also responsible for over 90% of all earthquakes.

Many of the most deadly and destructive tsunamis in history have occurred in or near the Ring of Fire. This includes the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 Tohoku tsunami in Japan.

14. Scientists Predicted a Mega Tsunami in The Canary Islands

The Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption of 2021 by Eduardo Robaina –

According to scientists, the Cumbre Vieja volcano was unstable and due to erupt potentially collapsing into the sea. This could result in a massive amount of rock and debris falling into the ocean, generating a tsunami event on La Palma, Canary Islands with waves up to 100 feet high.

Claims suggested that this probable tsunami could devastate the east coast of North and South America. This prediction dates back to 2001. 

However, between September to December 2021, the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted and to everyone’s relief the prediction was wrong. This prediction goes to show how difficult it is to predict a tsunami. While the volcanic eruption did happen as predicted, it never caused a tsunami. 

15. How to Survive a Tsunami!

Finally, here鈥檚 a do and don鈥檛 list for when (hopefully never) you get that tsunami warning. First, try as much as possible to get to higher ground. Much like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the movie San Andreas, run like your life depends on it (it probably does!)

If you鈥檙e at sea, do not try to swim for it. I guarantee you do not have the facilities for that. Instead, grab onto the vessel you鈥檙e on and ride out the waves. That鈥檚 all you can do really!

Avoid seeking shelter in tall buildings or structures near the shoreline. A tsunami can cause significant damage to structures. Therefore, it’s better to be in a sturdy, low-lying building or on higher ground.

Survivalists get a lot of stick when things are calm and going well. However, if that tsunami hits, the survivalist is more than likely ready for it. So, in survivalist fashion, if you鈥檙e in a tsunami-prone region, be prepared. Have a disaster kit prepared ahead of time. This should include food, water, first aid supplies, and other essentials.

In Conclusion, tsunamis are one of the most destructive natural disasters that can occur. Perhaps what makes tsunamis so terrifying is their unpredictable nature. Unlike hurricanes or tornadoes, tsunamis can strike without warning! The devastation they can cause as shown above is a stark reminder of why they are to be dreaded!