All around the world natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, and hurricanes, are waiting to strike like a time bomb waiting to explode. Once unleashed, these natural disasters could become deadly. One of nature's tremendous natural disasters is the great waves of the mighty ocean. In the past people referred to them as 'tidal waves' a name that is misleading because these great waves are not related to the tides in any way. The Japanese, who have felt the waves destructive power for many generations, gave them the name Tsunami pronounced 'soo-nah'mee'. "The word Tsunami means 'harbor wave' which references the giant waves' ability to penetrate the protected harbors along Japan's coast" (Koenig, Science). Although these natural disasters are not as common as others, people need to be aware that Tsunamis can be very devastating and destructive, more so than tornados or other storms. People need to educate themselves on how tsunamis are formed, the destruction they can cause, and the warning and support centers that have been established before the clock runs out and it's too late.
             Before one can truly understand the devastation and destruction these natural disasters can cause, one must first understand what causes tsunamis and how they are formed. There are many causes of tsunamis such as landslides, volcanoes, eruptions, and explosions, but the most common cause are earthquakes. "The relationship between earthquakes and tsunamis has been known for more than 2,000 years – ever since the Greek historian Thucydides connected an Aegean Tsunami in 426 B.C. to the quake that preceded it" (Koenig, Science). However, in order for a disturbance to generate a tsunami, the disturbance must occur underneath or near the ocean, be extremely large, and cause movement in the seafloor. When earthquakes occur a plate usually plunges dow...