Weather 101: Tsunami

On Boxing Day 2004 (December 26), a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck the Indian Ocean and caused massive devastation in 14 countries.

Hat Rai Lai Beach in southern Thailand as the waters burst out before the tsunami. Photo: AFP / Getty Images

275,000 people lost their lives and total damage is estimated at US $ 9.9 billion. At speeds of more than 300 miles per hour, the water wall destroyed 141,000 homes and reached heights of 100 feet.

What is a tsunami?

A tsunami, also known as a tidal wave, harbor wave, or seismic wave, is caused by a sudden shift of the sea floor in the ocean due to an earthquake, landslide, or volcanic activity.

In the case of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, an earthquake along the fault line caused the sea floor to suddenly shift. The ocean water was pushed vertically to the surface and spread out in all directions.

As it moves from close to shore, the continental shelf (the sea floor) rises and becomes shallower. When a tsunami moves over these shallow waters, it grows in height until it hits the coast, destroying everything in its path.

The direct result of the 2004 tsunami was the establishment of a tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean. The Pacific already had a Pacific Tsunami Warning Center operated by the United States in Hawaii.

Warning signs of Mother Nature

A common sign that a tsunami may be imminent is the receding water from the ocean away from the normal low tide. Other signs include feeling a strong and prolonged earthquake near the shoreline and hearing a loud roar from the ocean.

Natural warning signs of an approaching tsunami. Photo: Honolulu Advisory Government vs. Tsunami. Watch vs. Warning

If one of these waves was caused by an earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption, one of three bulletins may be issued for areas along the affected coastlines.

A chart from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center showing the various warning notices that may be issued for a region.

Tsunami Watch – Tsunami may affect the area later. People within the area should continue to monitor the situation for future updates, including upgrade to warning or cancel viewing.

Tsunami Alert – A tsunami is expected with the potential to generate strong currents or waves that pose a risk to those in or around the water. May last for several hours due to floods / Large floods are not expected for the advisory area. People should steer clear of beaches, ports and marinas.

Tsunami Warning – A tsunami with potential large scale inundation is imminent, anticipated, or occurring. Serious coastal flooding is possible with very strong currents and may last for several hours after arrival. Anyone in lowland areas needs to evacuate and move to higher ground immediately.

What to do if you are under threat from a tsunami?

While we won’t have to deal with tsunamis in northwest Arkansas and the River Valley, you may find yourself traveling to an area where a tsunami might strike. Here’s what to do if you are under the threat of a tsunami.

If a tsunami threatens, move to higher ground and away from the water ASAP. Follow all instructions from local authorities and emergency management officials. Help those you know who may struggle to evacuate and leave all their belongings behind. Image Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos

Picture Credit!