Tsunami

                 

On sunday, desember 26th the tsunami or tidal waves wreaked across sri lanka, as well as many other countries, in the asian region. Massive waves are usually caused by earthquakes deep under the ocean floor. These waves can travel a long distance.

                   Caused by strong seismic shocks, tsunamis can reach huge heights and speesds, picking up strength as they cross the ocean. They often culminate in disastrous, thousands of kilometers frome where they originated. However despite the terror they can unleash on coastal areas, they are sometimes barely noticeable out at sea. According to some, a tsunami could hardly be felt if you are in the sea on a boat. It becomes powerful only when it is near the shore and reaches shallow water, which then can push waves over ten times higher than tha sea water level.

                  They travel outward in all directions from the epicentre of an earthquake an can wreak havoc in coastlines, washing people and animals out of the sea, causing flooding and devastating property. Its speed is linked to the depth of the water. It can travel at speeds of several hundred kilometers per hour. The tsunami which happened on that day was a very powerful one. It triggered massive tidal waves that slammed into villages and seaside resorts across asia, killing thousands across five countries. If was the fifth largest since 1900, said geophysicists for the U.S geological surveys earthquake programming golden colorado. The tidal waves, about 10 meters tall, which began in sri lankas eastern coastal belt, also affected south, devestating Hambantota, Matara, Galle, Kalutara and Beruwala before moving westwards.

                    Over 40000 persons were killed while millions of property was damaged. It left a massive trail of death and destruction, rendering millions homeless. This was an unforgettable incident to all of us.