2006-08-31 05:17:42 · 16 answers · asked by ? 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Tsunamis have nothing to do with tides.
Description of tide
NOUN: 1a. The periodic variation in the surface level of the oceans and of bays, gulfs, inlets, and estuaries, caused by gravitational attraction of the moon and sun. b. A specific occurrence of such a variation: awaiting the next high tide. c. Flood tide.
The use of ‘tidal wave’ for a large, destructive ocean wave, most usually produced by a submarine earthquake, volcanic eruption, or coastal landslide, but also possibly by a hurricane, or strong wind, is a misnomer – for it has no connection with the tides. The phrase ‘tidal wave,’ which first appeared in 1830, is actually either of the two great wavelike swellings of the ocean surface that move around the earth on opposite sides and give rise to tides, caused by the attraction of the moon and sun. Sometime in the 1800s (see 1878 quote), ‘tidal wave’ became confused with what now might properly be called a ‘seismic sea wave’ or ‘tsunami’ (Japanese, from ‘tsu,’ port, harbor + ‘nami’ wave, first appearing in English print in 1897). The original misuse of ‘tidal wave’ was probably a result of the fact that there was no proper generally recognized word for the phenomenon at the time and it, more or less, filled the void. ‘Tidal wave’ was being used figuratively as a great progressive movement or manifestation of feeling, opinion, or the like by 1870 (see quote below). ‘Tsunami’ wasn’t being used in a similar figurative sense until about 1970.
2006-08-31 05:22:04 · answer #1 · answered by endrshadow 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Tidal wave is the old fashioned word for tsunami. Tsunami is a Japanese word. Back in the day people would call the phenomena of the wave resulting from under sea earthquakes 'tidal wave'.
A storm surge is a wind driven 'tsunami like' phenomena but appears to be very similar in some respects as the sea over flows it's boundaries and floods the coastline. A tsunami usually as a 1st, 2nd and sometimes 3rd wave where the bottom of the sea is visible between waves.
All are deadly. I have never seen a tsunami except on film but I have seen a hurricane storm surge in person.
2006-08-31 05:28:03 · answer #2 · answered by a_delphic_oracle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is the difference between a tsunami and a tidal wave?
The terms 'tsunami' and 'tidal wave' mean the same thing. Tsunami' is the preferred term nowadays, because it avoids the confusion with tides. 'Tidal wave' is most often seen in reproductions of old news reports and older text books. In this sense, it is like the term 'seismic sea wave'. Earthquakes, submarine landslides and volcanic eruptions are the sources of these waves. Astroids hitting the Earth have also been sources in the distant past of Earth's history.
2006-08-31 19:57:12 · answer #3 · answered by hamdi_batriyshah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. They aren't the same thing.
A 'Tidal wave' is a larger than usual wave, often coinciding with the 'spring tides', that is caused by an abnormal lunar effect. So, the moon has a greater effect than normal, so a bigger wave is created. As I say, the 'spring tides' are tidal waves of lesser magnitude than is often dubbed a tidal wave - these occur naturally on a predictable basis caused by the relative orbits of moon and earth.
A tsunami however is specifically caused by undersea earthquakes or landslides. The sudden movement of a large mass of rock displaces a large volume of water, causing the wave to move away. They gain in size as they approach the land, being forced into the common giant overhanging shape due to the shallowing of the sea.
So there you are, Tsunamis are caused by mass movement of rock under the surface, tidal waves by a larger than normal effect of the moon.
Hope that's made it clear.
2006-08-31 09:20:37 · answer #4 · answered by el_jonson 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
tsunami
An ocean wave produced by a sub-marine earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. These waves may reach enormous dimensions and have sufficient energy to travel across entire oceans.
Tidal Wave
A term that seismologists hate. The correct word for the big waves people often call "tidal waves" is tsunami. True "tidal waves" - or waves caused by the tides - are the ordinary waves people see on the ocean. Travel time - The time required for a wave train to travel from its source to a point of observation. Tuff - Used loosely as a collective term for all consolidated pyroclastic rocks. ...
2006-08-31 08:03:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the same thing. Tsunami means Harbor Wave in Japanese, thats where they do their biggest damage. They have nothing to do with tides so I guess thats why the term tidal wave was dropped in favor of Tsunami. They seldom arrive alone, they come in a "train", a set of tsunami, not all will be big, not all will be small, and the number will vary.
2006-08-31 05:21:19 · answer #6 · answered by jxt299 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Certainly. Tsunami occurs through disturbances from turbulent explosions or quakes from under the sea/ocean. A tidal wave is created by strong winds from above the ocean surface.
2006-08-31 05:24:49 · answer #7 · answered by rama d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are the same thing. Tsunami is Japanese for tidal wave.
2006-08-31 05:21:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think a tsunami is a giant tidal wave and I believe is usually caused by earthquakes on the ocean floor.
2006-08-31 05:20:43 · answer #9 · answered by Lindsey A 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A tsunami is much bigger than a regular tidal wave.
2006-08-31 05:23:23 · answer #10 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋