A tsunami is like a wave train or series of waves in the ocean. Generated in a body of water by an impulsive disturbance that vertically displaces the water column. Tsunami is a Japanese word with an English translation "harbor wave".
There are many ways for a tsunami to form. Earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, explosions, and even the impact of cosmic bodies, such as meteorites can form tsunamis. Tsunamis are originally formed when large areas of the seafloor elevate or subside. Just like other waves, tsunamis begin to lose energy as they rush onshore.
As a tsunami leaves the deep water of the open ocean and travels into shallower water, it transforms. When it finally reaches the coast, a tsunami may appear as a rapidly rising or falling tide, a series of breaking waves, or even a bore. Tsunamis can savagely attack any coastline, causing devastating property damage and loss of life. .
There are a quite a few ways to protect yourself and your family from a tsunami. In general, if you think a tsunami is coming, the ground shakes under your feet or you hear there is a warning, tell your relatives and friends, and please, MOVE QUICKLY TO A HIGHER GROUND! If you think that you can run faster than a huge tidal wave that destroys everything in its path, well think again. Tsunamis can move faster than a person can run. Many people evacuate their house and move into a tsunami evacuation zone before it hits land. So if your island gets hit with tsunamis at least once or twice a year, find a shelter zone or an evacuation zone. Oh and the safest advice there is: STAYING AWAY FROM ALL LOW-LYING AREAS IS THE SAFEST ADVICE WHEN THERE IS A TSUNAMI WARNING! .
Three most recent tsunami attacks are: 1994 in East Java, 1996 in Peru, and 1998 in Papua New Guinea. On July 17, 1998, Papua New Guinea had 3 large tsunamis that were generated by an earthquake. Large tsunami waves destroyed primarily three fishing villages along a 30 km stretch of beach west of Atape, in the West Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea.