Once and Future Tsunamis
- By Lexi Krock
- Posted 03.29.05
- NOVA
All tsunamis are big events. Their fuel is a major geologic disturbance—a landslide, volcanic eruption, earthquake, or even meteor impact—that displaces huge amounts of water. But some tsunamis are bigger than others, either in terms of destructive power or because of what they tell scientists about the nature of catastrophic waves. With this map, explore key tsunamis dating from 3.5 billion years ago to a possible future disaster.
With our world map, explore eight of the deadliest tsunamis of the past and see where the next big one could strike.
This feature originally appeared on the site for the NOVA program Wave That Shook the World.
Credits
Images
- (3.5 billion years ago)
- © Dr. Gary Byerly, LSU Geology Department
- (1645 B.C.)
- © NASA
- (1700)
- © Dr. Brian Atwater, University of Washington
- (1883)
- © Corbis Images
- (1946)
- © NOAA
- (1958)
- © Corbis Images
- (1960)
- Copyright NOAA
- (2004)
- © NASA
- (Future)
- © USGS
Related Links
-
Wave of the Future
What will it take to be ready for the next major tsunami?
-
Anatomy of a Tsunami
See how the tsunami of 2004 developed, from its birth at the seafloor to its impact on coasts around the Indian Ocean.
-
Japan's Killer Quake
An eyewitness account and investigation of the epic earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis
-
Deadliest Earthquakes
Big quakes are inevitable, but can we lessen their devastation?
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