I was distraught when I saw pictures of Japan now.  A 30-foot Tsunami triggered by the strong earthquake killing hundreds of people as it swept away boats, cars and homes while widespread fires burned out of control. Imagine that.

Photo credit: National Geographic

Japan Tsunami: 20 Unforgettable Pictures by National Geographic daily news,  link here.

So what is a tsunami?

The phenomenon we call “tsunami” (soo-NAH-mee) is a series of traveling ocean waves of extremely long length generated by disturbances associated primarily with earthquakes occurring below or near the ocean floor. Underwater volcanic eruptions and landslides can also generate tsunamis. In the deep ocean, their length from wave crest to wave crest may be a hundred miles or more but with a wave height of only a few feet or less. They cannot be felt aboard ships nor can they be seen from the air in the open ocean. In deep water, the waves may reach speeds exceeding 500 miles per hour.  Source: weather.gov