Hobbies And Interests
Tidal Wave
Technically, the term "tidal wave" can be applied to the crest of the tidal bulge as it travels around Earth. More commonly, it is used to refer to visible waves generated by the gravity of the sun and moon. These are most visible in the case of tidal bores, in which the incoming tide works against the current of a river to create a highly visible and turbulent wavefront. Tidal waves of this kind are found in rivers and narrow inlets throughout northern latitudes. They do not commonly damage structures on land, but can make navigation hazardous for boats and small ships.
Tsunami
Tsunamis are most commonly caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or large submarine landslides. These events displace a great deal of water in a short time, and are capable of creating powerful ripples in the ocean. These waves can travel across thousands of miles of open sea before making landfall, losing little of their destructive force along the way. Tsunamis can temporarily raise the sea level in an area by several feet, causing flooding many miles inland.
Source of Confusion
Tsunamis were commonly referred to as tidal waves before their mechanism was fully understood. Since the shockwave of a tsunami is so wide, it can appear as an unusually powerful incoming tide. Once scientists began to understand that "tidal waves" were caused by seismic events and had no connection to the tides, they borrowed the Japanese word "tsunami" to replace the inaccurate term. Despite this, tsunamis are still often confused with tidal waves.
Storm Surges
A storm surge is a third type of highly destructive wave that is also commonly confused with a tidal wave. A storm surge develops when water is driven inland by wind, usually in the case of a hurricane or cyclone. Storm surges are often referred to as tidal waves or storm tides. Unlike a tsunami, a storm surge is affected by the tide, as a surge occurring at high tide will reach further inland than one occurring at low tide. However, since the main driving force is wind, rather than gravity, they are not considered true tidal waves.