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A tsunami makes a very shallow wave on the surface of the massive body of water as it propagates from the source. The vertical height of the propagated wave is very tall, as the body of water it travels through is very deep. It is a pressure wave caused by an underwater landslide at the epicenter. Underwater landslides can happen at any time; anywhere there is steep relief to shore. They are usually associated with an earthquake somewhere in the vicinity. As the wave travels through the body of water, it disperses or lengthens over distance in its direction of travel. This is why a tsunami does not devastate every shoreline perpendicular to the epicenter. As the wave reaches landfall, the ground gets shallower and the remainder of its height is exposed. Far enough away and it appears as slightly taller lapping waves for a short period. Close enough to the epicenter and the wave crests at considerable height; usually devastating since water weighs about eight pounds per gallon. Ten thousand gallons coming at you means eighty thousand pounds. Ten thousand gallons would be a narrow section of the broad wave making landfall. Thoroughly devastating. Extremely unfortunate.

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12y ago

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