How are tsunamis formed?

Tsunamis are primarily formed by geological events, specifically through the sudden displacement of a large volume of water. This usually occurs due to underwater earthquakes, particularly those that happen at tectonic plate boundaries where the Earth's crust is very active. When an earthquake occurs, it can displace the seabed, causing a significant amount of water to be pushed upwards. The rapid movement of the water creates waves that can travel across entire ocean basins.

Volcanic eruptions can also lead to tsunamis, particularly if an eruption involves the collapse of a volcanic island or a large explosion that displaces ocean water. These geological events release energy that is transferred to the water, forming large waves.

Understanding the mechanisms of tsunami formation is crucial for appreciating their potential impact on coastlines and human communities. The ocean does experience other forces such as wind and tides, but these do not result in the massive waves associated with tsunamis. Instead, those phenomena create relatively smaller wave patterns that do not share the same destructive power inherent in tsunami waves generated by seismic activity.