What is a Tsunami and why it frequently Occurred in Japan?
By iastoppers.com
A tsunami, or "harbour wave," is a series of enormous waves usually caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions
These waves are formed when the ocean floor shifts during such events, displacing large amounts of water
Tsunamis start in deep oceans and gain height near shallower coasts, reaching up to hundreds of feet and moving as fast as airplanes
Not all earthquakes or eruptions lead to tsunamis; their occurrence depends on specific factors like the ocean floor's shapeand the quake's details
Japan is particularly prone to tsunamis due to its location on the 'Pacific Ring of Fire,' where many tectonic plates meet and move
The area's tectonic activity, involving plates like the Pacific, Eurasian, and Indo-Australian, frequently causes earthquakes
In 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit Japan, causing huge tsunamis that killed about 18,000 people and displaced many, highlighting the country's vulnerability
The same 2011 disaster also led to a major nuclear accident at Fukushima, marking it as one of the worst nuclear incidents since Chernobyl