Tsunami Knowledge Quiz

What is the meaning of "tsunami" in Japanese?

• Great wave

• Large harbor wave

• Ocean disaster

• Seaquake

A tsunami is primarily caused by what kind of displacement of ocean water?

• Horizontal displacement

• Vertical displacement

• Circular motion

• Temperature change

Which of these is NOT a common cause of tsunamis?

• Undersea earthquake

• Underwater landslide

• Volcanic eruption

• Hurricane

Which event can produce a mega-tsunami roughly 100 times larger than an earthquake-generated tsunami?

• A large earthquake on land

• Volcanic eruption on an island

• Asteroid or comet impact in the ocean

• A tornado over the ocean

Earthquake-induced tsunamis typically require the earthquake to be at least what magnitude?

• 5.5

• 7.5

• 6.0

• 4.5

Which type of event causes the seafloor to quickly lift or drop, displacing ocean water and potentially triggering a tsunami?

• Underwater earthquake

• Lightning strike

• Tsunami watch

• Ocean current change

Among the following, which is the MOST common source of tsunamis?

• Landslides

• Asteroid impacts

• Earthquakes

• Volcanic eruptions

In stage one of an earthquake-generated tsunami, what happens?

• Tsunami waves reach the shore

• The seafloor lifts and pushes up the water, creating a dome

• The wave slows and increases in height

• Earthquake tremors stop

In the deep ocean, tsunami waves are typically:

• Very tall and close together

• Very fast and far apart

• Very slow and calm

• Only found near shore

Why do sailors often not notice tsunami waves in the deep ocean?

• The waves are too short

• The waves are usually less than 1 meter high

• The waves only occur at night

• The waves are too cold