Chapter 8, Problem 1QR

To determine

Whether the terms ‘tsunami’ and ‘tidal wave’ can be used to describe the same event.

Answer to Problem 1QR

The terms ‘tsunami’ and ‘tidal wave’ cannot be used to describe the same event. It is because tidal waves are formed due to gravitational effects, and are not harmful, whereas tsunami is caused by the disturbances under the seabed.

Explanation of Solution

The tidal waves are caused in the ocean by the natural changes in the atmosphere, which are not harmful. The tides are formed due to the gravitational effect produced by the motion of the Sun, the moon, and the Earth.

The word ‘tsunami’ is a Japanese word in which ‘tsu’ means harbor, and ‘nami’ means waves. It is an abnormal phenomenon caused by the disturbances at the floor of the ocean. These are created by huge injections of energy in deep ocean water by fault movements, volcanic eruptions, caldera collapse, underwater landslides, and meteorite impacts. These processes affect the natural formation of tides, and result in the generation of destructive waves known as Tsunami. Therefore, Tsunami and tidal waves cannot be used to describe the same event.