Glossary

A tsunami documented to have occurred through eyewitness or instrumental observation within the historical record.

A tsunami from a nearby source (often under 200 km) for which its destructive effects are confined to coasts less than 1 hour tsunami travel time away.

Although usually generated by earthquakes, they can also be caused by landslides or volcanic eruptions.

Responsible for 90% of tsunami casualties in history.

Tsunami-like waves generated by meteorological or atmospheric disturbances like atmospheric gravity waves, pressure jumps, frontal passages, squalls, gales, typhoons, hurricanes, and other atmospheric sources.

They have the same scales as tsunamis and can similarly devastate coastal areas, especially in bays and inlets.

Sometimes referred to as rissaga.

A tsunami of such small amplitude that it must be observed instrumentally and is not easily detected visually.

Tsunamis that occurred prior to the historical record or for which there are no written observations.

Their identification is based primarily on the mapping and dating of tsunami deposits in coastal areas, and their correlation with similar sediments found elsewhere.

Research on these events provides some insight into possible future earthquakes and tsunamis, and aid in hazard assessment.

A tsunami capable of destruction in a particular geographic region, generally within 1,000 km or 1-3 hours tsunami travel time from its source.

Regional tsunamis also occasionally have very limited and localised effects outside their region.

A tsunami capable of widespread destruction, not only in the immediate region of its generation but across an entire ocean.

All tele-tsunamis have been generated by major earthquakes.

Also known as ocean-wide tsunami or distant tsunami.