Although tsunamis occur most often in the Pacific Ocean, they can be generated by major earthquakes in other areas. The most frequent cause of tsunamis…is crustal movement along a fault: a large mass of rock drops or rises and displaces the column of water above it. This column of water – a tsunami – travels outward from the source at the fantastic speed of 500 mph or more. When an earthquake occurs in the Pacific Ocean Basin, authorities must quickly decide on a course of action.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 1985 |
---|---|
Title | Tsunamis – Scourge of the Pacific |
Authors | Patricia Lockridge |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Earthquake Information Bulletin (USGS) |
Index ID | 70170777 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |