[xx] Tsunami

when a strong earthquake occurs on the ocean floor rather than on land, a tremendous force is exerted on the seawater and one or more large, destruvtive waves called tsunamis can be formed. Tsunamis are commonly called tidal waves in the United Status, but this really an inappropriate name in that the cause of the tsunami is an underground eathquake rather than the ocean's tides.

far from land, a tsunami can move through the wide open vastness of the ocean at a speed of 600 miles(900 kilometers) per hour and often can travel tremendous distances with losing height and strength. when a tsunami reaches shallow coastal water, it can reach a height of 100 feet(30 meters) or more and can cause tremendous flooding and damage to coastal areas