Nature and Environment -2

Read the part of the text Killer Waves and answer the question:

What is true about tsunamis?

They're monsters of the open ocean, a series of giant waves that travel for thousands of kilometres and have enough power to destroy anything and drown anyone in their way: tsunamis! Tsunami is a Japanese word which means 'harbour wave'. In the past, tsunamis were sometimes referred to as tidal waves' or 'seismic sea waves.

Tsunamis are not like normal waves caused by strong winds. They are caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the ocean. It's a bit like when you jump into a swimming pool or throw a stone in a pond: you create a series of small waves. A tsunami is just like those ripples, only bigger because the ocean is no swimming pool or pond - and volcanoes are no pebbles!

Read the part of the text Killer Waves and answer the question:

What are tsunamis?

They're monsters of the open ocean, a series of giant waves that travel for thousands of kilometres and have enough power to destroy anything and drown anyone in their way: tsunamis! Tsunami is a Japanese word which means 'harbour wave'. In the past, tsunamis were sometimes referred to as tidal waves' or 'seismic sea waves.

Tsunamis are not like normal waves caused by strong winds. They are caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the ocean. It's a bit like when you jump into a swimming pool or throw a stone in a pond: you create a series of small waves. A tsunami is just like those ripples, only bigger because the ocean is no swimming pool or pond - and volcanoes are no pebbles!

Read the part of the text Killer Waves and answer the question:

Which is NOT true about tsunamis in the open ocean?

Out in the ocean where the water is deep, tsunamis are not dangerous: the waves are small, and they can pass under a ship and not be felt or seen. However, as a tsunami approaches land, it can become very dangerous. The waves that reach the coast can be as high as 30 metres, and they can travel up to 950 kilometres per hour-as fast as a passenger jet! They sweep away anything in their path, damaging buildings and other structures. Most people who get caught in a tsunami will find it almost impossible to swim and stay in control. The only way they can survive is by holding onto something like a standing tree but, even then, the force of the water can be so strong that they won't be able to hold on for long.