THE APPROACH
THE INTRODUCTION: Describe tsunami.
THE BODY
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- Formation of tsunamis; Consequences and examples.
THE CONCLUSION: Impact of tsunamis.
THE INTRODUCTION:
A tsunami is a series of massive ocean waves produced by sudden, large-scale disturbances like underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, or even rare asteroid impacts.
THE BODY:
Formation of tsunamis:
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- Most tsunamis are triggered when tectonic plates shift along subduction zones, resulting in vertical movement of the seafloor and displacement of huge water volumes.
Example: Recent (2025) earthquake on Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.
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- Other Causes are volcanic eruptions (example: Krakatoa, Indonesia, 1883), coastal/underwater landslides, and rarely, meteorite impacts, submarine explosion.
- Tsunamis most often occur in the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire (example: 2011 Japan) and subduction zones near Indonesia, Japan, Alaska, and Chile. The Indian Ocean, particularly near the Sunda and Java trenches, and the eastern coast of India, is also highly vulnerable (as seen in the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman event).
Consequences and examples:
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- Human impact: Massive loss of life (over 200,000 deaths in 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami), forced displacement, and long-term trauma.
- Environmental impact: Coastal inundation, soil and water contamination, erosion, habitat destruction (mangroves, coral reefs), and ecosystem collapse.
- Economic impact: Infrastructure devastation such as ports, buildings, and farmlands destroyed; fisheries and tourism significantly affected (Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand in 2004 tsunami).
- Examples:
- Indian ocean tsunami (2004): Originated near Sumatra; devastated India’s east coast, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
- Japan tsunami (2011): Triggered by undersea earthquake near Tōhoku; led to nuclear disaster and widespread coastal destruction.
THE CONCLUSION:
Tsunamis thus represent catastrophic events impacting coastal populations, economies, and environments across the globe.
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