Why does an earthquake cause a tsunami?

Answer 1

Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates under the Earth's surface.

When these plates move and overlap each other then a lot of moovement is produced which results in an earthquake. Earthquakes can take place anywhere. When there is an undersea earthquake then tsunamis are caused. Due to the force produced by the movement of the tectonic plates, the sea rattles as if it is crazy and really high waves are produced. The tsunami on 24th December 2004 which hit South-Asia and South-East Asia in Indian ocean is an example of an undersea earthquake.

Answer 2

Earthquakes happen under the sea sometimes. This will have the effect of shaking the sea. If you have a bowl of water and shake it, you will get waves in the bowl. That is what happens when an earthquake occurs under the sea and why we get tsunamis caused by earthquakes.

Answer 3

Yes, they are one cause of tsunami. Earthquakes are actually one of the most common causes. Tsunami can be caused by undersea earthquakes or earthquakes near a coastal area that displace the surface of the sea floor, raising the water abruptly and generating the gigantic waves.

See related question below for more detail.

Answer 4

An earthquake is caused by the displacement of the earths crust. When oceanic crust is displaced by the convergence of another oceanic crust in the bottom of the ocean,one of the oceanic crusts have to be pushed up like how a mountain is formed. When the crust is pushed up in the ocean, the water that was displaced has to go somewhere. So all the water is pushed up and creates a giant bulge in the ocean which then comes storming towards whatever shore line is the closest creating enormous waves in that area. It only happens when earthquakes are in the ocean not on land.

Answer 5

An earthquake can cause a tsunami when the shifting of tectonic plates on the ocean floor displaces a large volume of water, creating a series of powerful waves that travel across the ocean. The energy from the earthquake is transferred to the water, causing it to move and form a tsunami that can travel long distances and hit coastal areas with devastating force.

Answer 6

yes, underwater earthquakes do.

Answer 7

No. Tsunami are caused by earthquakes.