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| Tsunamis |
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A tsunami is a series of waves created when the ocean
is rapidly displaced |
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on a massive scale. The potential of a tsunami can be
created by |
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many factors such as earthquakes, mass movements above
or below water, |
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volcanic eruptions and other underwater explosions,
landslides, large meteorite |
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impacts and testing of nuclear weapons at sea. |
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The effects of a tsunami can range
from unnoticeable to devastating |
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A tsunami has a very long wavelength
(often hundreds of kilometers long) |
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They generally pass unnoticed at sea, forming only a passing
"hump" |
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in the ocean since they carry a much smaller amplitude (wave
height) |
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A tsunami cannot be prevented or precisely predicted, but
there are |
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some warning signs and tsunami warning systems are used to
try |
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to detect and warn the general population before the wave
hits land. |
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Warning systems consist of a network of sensors to detect
tsunamis |
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and a communications infrastructure to issue timely alarms
to |
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permit evacuation of coastal areas. |
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One of the early
warnings comes from nearby animals. Many animals |
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sense danger and flee to to higher
grounds before the water hits |
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Trees across shorelines have
lessened the impact of some tsunamis |
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Environmentalists suggest
tree planting along stretches of seacoast |
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