Can a person dive under a tsunami wave?

Answer 1

To really surf a wave it needs to crest. Tsunami's to not crest until close to shore. So, yes, it is possible to surf a tsunami but you won't be able to ride it for hours and hours, which is what I thing you are looking for.

Answer 2

Not really. Tsunamis are somewhat broad. At sea, you'd experience them as a raise in water level of perhaps 1" for a few minutes, as the wave passed. If you knew it was passing (which is unlikely) and had amazing breath control, you theoretically could dive under it, but why would you? As the tsunami approaches shore, the wave slows, dumps energy, and builds into a wall of water. Unlike most wind waves, there is no tranquil area under the cresting wave, so diving under it won't work. To contradict, it is impossible to dive under a tsunami waveas a tsunami wave moves at speeds of 700 mph, which is the speed of sound in water. The tsunami waves covers from the water surface to the seabed, so if you are diving under a tsunami wave, you are under the seabed, which is again, impossible.

Answer 3

People on the open ocean will barely if even notice a passing tsunami. Tsunamis do not begin to build up to a cresting wave until they encounter the continental shelf or a shoreline. In the open ocean they are nothing more than a wide swell.

Answer 4

It is extremely dangerous to swim or dive under a tsunami wave as the force of the water could drag the person underwater or cause injury due to debris and strong currents. It's best to move to higher ground immediately if a tsunami is approaching.