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How a Tsunami Occurs
Figure 5.3.3, A model of the tsunami generated by
the December 26, 2004 earthquake. (Adapted from “Animation: Tsunami
wavefield approximately 6 minutes after rupture initiation (origin
time), view to the northwest”. USGS.
http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/tsunami/sumatraEQ/SumatraNW.html)
You can get an idea of how a tsunami occurs by watching this video
animation. As you watch it, you will see the initial displacement of
the water as water sprays into the air, followed by the wave that
becomes bigger as it travels through the ocean.
