tsunami

Everyday

1. A tsunami is a huge sea wave, or series of waves, caused by an earthquake, volcano or landslide under the sea. tree →
2. A tsunami can also mean a huge amount of something arriving at once, like a tsunami of emails. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and safety lessons tsunamis show the power of earthquakes; warning signs are a strong earthquake near the coast or the sea pulling far back from the shore — go to high ground at once. Phrases: «tsunami warning», «a tsunami hit», «tsunami evacuation route».

Examples

• A tsunami can travel across the whole ocean. tree →
• The earthquake caused a tsunami. tree →
• If the sea suddenly goes far out, go to high ground at once. tree →
• The town has signs showing the tsunami evacuation route. tree →
• The tsunami flooded the coast. tree →
• Scientists can send out tsunami warnings. tree →
• A tsunami is not caused by wind. tree →

Note

Countable. Japanese word meaning «harbour wave»; the t is often silent in English: soo-NAH-mee. Trap: a tsunami is not a «tidal wave» — tides do not cause it. A tsunami may be a series of waves, so do not go back to the beach after the first one.