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Monster Waves–Look Out!

This Science Minute was researched and written by Evan J. of Ithaca, NY.

What can leap tall buildings with a single wave? A tsunami!

Tsunamis are giant waves, or a series of waves that can travel out in circles toward land. As tsunamis rush toward the shore they can rise up to 100 feet high or more! Far out in the ocean, these giant waves can move up to 500 miles per hour. They slow down to about 100 miles per hour nearshore.

Tsunamis are most often caused by an underwater earthquake. Earthquake tsunamis are deadly and destructive, like the tsunami on December 26, 2004 that caused 300,000 deaths.

Tsunamis erode the ocean's coastline and clear out all the sand. Soil and plants are washed away, and flooding leaves people without electricity or clean water to drink.

To protect yourself from a tsunami, listen for the Tsunami Warning System advisories on radio and television, and follow the instructions.

Now you know why tsunamis are called "monster waves."