Tsunamis Are Formed

Earthquakes are often linked to ground shaking that is a ramification of elastic waves traveling through the solid earth. However, close to the heart and origin of submarine earthquakes, the seafloor is "permanently" uplifted and down-dropped, pushing the entire water column up and down.

The potential energy (as opposed to kinetic energy) that is the consequence of pushing water above mean sea level is then transferred to horizontal propagation of the tsunami wave (kinetic energy as opposed to potential energy). In most cases, the earthquake rupture occurs at the base of the continental slope in relatively deep water. Situations can also arise where the earthquake rupture occurs beneath the continental shelf in much shallower water.

Within just moments of the original submarine earthquake, the initial tsunami is divided into a tsunami that travels out to the deep ocean (distant tsunami) and yet one more tsunami that travels...
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