There are two types of tsunami generation: Local tsunami and Far Field or distant tsunami. The coastal areas in the Philippines especially those facing the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea, Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea can be affected by tsunamis that may be generated by local earthquakes. What is a tsunami? A tsunami is a series of waves caused by earthquakes or undersea volcanic eruptions. On September 29, 2009, a tsunami caused substantial damage and loss of life in American Samoa, Samoa, and Tonga. The tsunami was generated by a large earthquake in the Southern Pacific Ocean. The most common cause of a tsunami is sea floor uplift associated with an earthquake. Tsunamis are also triggered by landslides into or under the water surface, and can be generated by volcanic activity and meteorite impacts. Tsunamis range in size from inches to over a hundred feet. There are two main types of tsunamis: local tsunamis and distant tsunamis. Local tsunamis are relatively small and occur near the source of the earthquake, volcanic eruption, or landslide that generated them. The results suggest that New Zealand can expect a tsunami of 16.4 feet (5 m) approximately every 77 years, with a wave of at least 49.2 feet (15 m) approximately every 580 years. Tsunamis over 3.3 Tsunami "Wave Train" Many people have the mistaken belief that tsunamis are single waves. They are not. Instead tsunamis are "wave trains" consisting of multiple waves. The chart on this page is a tidal gauge record from Onagawa, Japan beginning at the time of the 1960 Chile earthquake. naf2YT.

2 types of tsunami