ABSTRACT
These two phenomena are often confused and, since both are important to the concerns of this book, the author will discriminate between them. A tsunami is caused by an eruption (generally volcanic) on the ocean floor. If it is big enough, it can create one or several large waves, which then travel outwards along the floor of the sea. A tidal wave, on the other hand, is a rapid rise of sea level above predicted tidal levels, when water piles up with great force against a coast by powerful offshore winds. 'Storm surge' is regarded as a more correct expression than 'tidal wave'.
