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Kate Johnson
Mr. Freja
Geography 9/10
10 December 14 Tsunamis
Have you ever been afraid of a natural disaster? What I’m about to tell you, will make you fear this devastating phenomenon. I believe that tsunamis are the worst natural disaster because of its power and widespread destruction. Tsunamis are caused by sudden changes, so detecting them early is critical. Even with proper warning, they can’t be stopped and will still demolish everything in its path. They often hit countries that do not have an accurate early warning system to warn people. The aftermath from this catastrophe can affect many people and areas. A tsunami is a series of large waves generated by an abrupt movement on the ocean floor.
They are caused by the movement of the ocean due to earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, or the shifting of tectonic plates.
“Most strong earthquakes occur in subduction zones where an ocean plate slides under a continental plate or another younger ocean plate”(NEAMTIC).
These causes can then lead to the ocean rising into large waves leading to a tsunami. Tsunamis can create waves that can be more than 100 feet tall. When this cataclysm hits, it hits fast. These waves can travel up to about 500 mph in the open ocean (National
Geographic). Then, they smash against the shore demolishing everything in its path.
The mass destruction caused by a tsunami is devastating. Buildings and homes can be torn from their foundations. There can be catastrophic loss of life and injuries. Survivors can be

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be at greater risk of diseases because of stagnant water, dead bodies that have not been removed, dead animals, contamination, lack of clean water and food, and medicine. “
The deadliest tsunami in recorded history was the Christmas tsunami of 2004 in the Indian Ocean. On December 24,
2004, a massive 9.2 earthquake occurred off the island of Sumatra. It created a deadly series of tsunamis that swept Indonesia, India, Madagascar,