Why is a Tsunami called a tidal wave?

[GasX]

Despite the image most people have of a tidal wave / tsunami - that of a huge 100 foot wave crashing onto the beach, these waves are usually quite short. However, the force behind these waves and the effect they produce when they hit land is extraordinary. The ocean seemingly recedes just prior to the wave hitting and then comes back with a vengeance - like the tide coming in REALLY fast.

If you watch the videos, you see this as the water level rises no more than 10 feet, but does so with such force and speed that anything in its way was doomed.


edited for spelling

 

[trilks]

Thanks for the tip :thumbsup:

 

[AdamSnow]

I think the big one was more then 10 feet and did a lot more damage then the ones you are seeing on video...

But yeah...

 

There are alot of people that think a 10 foot wave during a hurricane or bad storm is the same as a 10 foot tidal wave. Good info for the uninformed.

 

[GasX]

If you go to cnn.com, you can find an animation that shows how an earthquake makes a tidal wave and explains this pretty clearly...