Tsunamis

Tsunamis are a series of massive waves that ripple out from the earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide or underwater detonation that caused them. These huge waves can travel thousands of miles across ocean basins. While out at sea, wave heights are small, but as a tsunami approaches shore, the rise of the continental slope means water levels are shallower, and the wave begins to narrow and become higher. Read below for the latest news on tsunamis and tsunami research.

Related Topics: Earthquakes, Natural Disasters, Ocean, Volcanoes

Latest Updates

Hawaii tsunami 1946 aftermath

500-Year-Old Traces of Monster Hawaii Tsunami Discovered

By Laura Geggel published

Tsunamis, like the one that stuck Aceh, Indonesia, cause serious flooding and submerge entire villages.

How Extinct Undersea Volcanoes Trigger Rare 'Tsunami Earthquakes'

By Kelly Dickerson published

Extinct volcanoes on the ocean floor get squashed by tectonic plates and create tsunami earthquakes.

The Nautilus

In Images: Exploring the Caribbean Deep

By Tanya Lewis published

A team of scientists ventured to the depths of the Caribbean Sea on a three-month voyage to study fault zones and strange biological communities.

ROV Hercules

Could Gentle Caribbean Unleash a Devastating Tsunami?

By Tanya Lewis published

The Caribbean usually conjures images of white sandy beaches and sparkling turquoise water, but beneath the sea's tranquil surface, powerful forces are at work.

The 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, disaster response

Cities are Failing to Cope with Global Challenges (Op-Ed)

By Brendan Gleeson published

Debris from Japanese Tsunami

Tsunami Survival Guide: What You Need to Know

By David Mielach published

Would you know what to do if a tsunami hit?

a big wave

Tsunami Facts You Need to Know

By David Mielach published

How much do you know about one of the most destructive forces in nature?

Powerful Aftershock Shakes Chile

By Megan Gannon published

Chile Earthquake: Do Bigger Tremors Loom?

By Megan Gannon published

Chile Earthquake Unleashes Tsunami ... and Sensors Track It

By Megan Gannon published

A powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake that rocked Chile Tuesday night (April 1) originated at a rupture in the Earth's crust that has produced some of the world's strongest earthquakes in history.

1964 alaska earthquake tsunami

Earthquake Survival Guide: What You Need to Know

By David Mielach published

Do you know what you need to do if an earthquake hits?

a big wave

Massive Tsunami Could Wipe Out Hawaii's Waikiki Beach

By Tia Ghose published

A monster earthquake in Alaska could trigger 5-story-high tsunami waves that would inundate some of Hawaii's most iconic beaches and its critical power infrastructure, new research suggests.

Debris from Japanese Tsunami

Tsunami Debris 'Island' Headed for US? NOAA Sets Record Straight

By Denise Chow published

Delaware River tsunami model

Bermuda Triangle Earthquake Triggered 1817 Tsunami

By Becky Oskin published

Norway seiche wave

Norway's Weird Waves Traced to Japan Earthquake

By Becky Oskin published

st. michael's mount in the distance.

Bizarre 'Meteotsunami' Stirred Waves in UK

By Tia Ghose published

New Jersey storm, derecho, meteotsunami

Derecho May Have Caused Tsunami in New Jersey

By Samantha-Rae Tuthill published

Strong waves associated with a low-end derecho that hit the area in mid-June indicate a possible meteotsunami.

Houses above the inundation zone in this Japanese village survived intact, while everything below was destroyed by the 2011 tsunami.

No, You Can't Outrun a Tsunami

By Becky Oskin published

Why people ignore the power of the ocean.

Earthquake sounds

Earthquake Sounds Its Own Tsunami Warning

By Becky Oskin published

Acoustic waves from earthquakes could provide early tsunami warnings.

Still from an animation show how seafloor features influenced the March 11 japan tsunami.

GPS Could Issue Tsunami Alert in Minutes

By Elizabeth Howell published

GPS could've warned of 2011 Japan tsunami in three minutes.