Tsunamis and the Environment

Written by: Caroline Kim

January 17, 2022

Recently, there was a tsunami advisory for the U.S. West Coast. Though Tsunamis aren’t a concern here where I live, it made me wonder how Tsunamis affect the environment. Though it is detrimental to humans and communities that are affected by it, could Tsunamis harm the environment just the same?

Many articles I have read explain that tsunamis are most common near the pacific and Indian oceans due to them being high earthquake zones. Tsunamis are caused by a large displacement of water, which are often induced by earthquakes. However, in certain rare cases, tsunamis can be caused by volcanoes, landslides, and certain types of weather that occur near or above the ocean. Tsunamis slow down when approaching land, however in deeper oceans they can reach over speeds of 500 mph. Some important signs that precede a tsunami include earthquakes and a random recession of the ocean tide.

An article by smsTsunamiwarning explains that tsunamis can be extremely harmful to the environment: uprooting trees and plants, destroying animal habitats, drowning animals, and augmented pollution in the environment. Of all of these issues, however, solid debris seems to be the most concerning. Research has also shown that radiation can be an issue to the environment; for example, if nuclear plants are washed out, the radiation can cause long term damage to both humans and animals. Another issue to consider is that tsunamis can harm the environment that exists below the ocean: the ocean floor can erode and coral reefs can be damaged. On land, cliffs and hills can be damaged, and salinization can cause the saltwater to damage crops and groundwater. Overall, it’s safe to say tsunamis are extremely detrimental to the environment.

Sources:

“Tsunamis: The Effects.” Tsunami, https://www.sms-tsunami-warning.com/pages/tsunami-effects#.YeSbTv7MI2w.

“FAQ Tsunamis.” NOAA Center for Tsunami Research - FAQ Results, https://nctr.pmel.noaa.gov/faq_display.php?kw=15.

“Tsunamis.” Tsunamis | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1 Oct. 2018, https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts/tsunamis#:~:text=A%20tsunami%20is%20a%20series,sometimes%20crossing%20entire%20ocean%20basins.

Naroju, Sandesh. “13 Main Effects of Tsunami on the Environment.” RiddleLife, 12 Sept. 2019, https://www.riddlelife.com/effects-of-tsunami-on-the-environment/.