Flood vs. Tsunami — What's the Difference?

A flood is an overflow of water onto land.

A tsunami is a large sea wave caused by undersea disturbances.

A flood can be a result of various water sources.

Tsunamis are characterized by their massive power and height.

A flood often denotes an inundation or deluge.

Tsunami results from seismic activities beneath the ocean.

A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry. In the sense of "flowing water", the word may also be applied to the inflow of the tide.

Tsunamis can cause significant damage and loss of life.

An overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally dry land

A tsunami is not a regular tidal wave.

An outpouring of tears

A tsunami ( (t)soo-NAH-mee, (t)suu-; from Japanese: 津波, lit. 'harbour wave', pronounced [tsɯnami]) is a series of waves in a water body caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, generally in an ocean or a large lake. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other underwater explosions (including detonations, landslides, glacier calvings, meteorite impacts and other disturbances) above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami.

Short for floodlight

A long, high sea wave caused by an earthquake or other disturbance

Cover or submerge (an area) with water in a flood

A very large ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption.

Arrive in overwhelming amounts or quantities

A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption. Tsunami are usually a series of waves, or wave train.

(of a woman) experience a uterine haemorrhage.

(figurative) A large and generally unstoppable surge.

An overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry.

A huge destructive wave (especially one caused by an earthquake)

A flood tide.

A large amount or number, especially when moving from one place to another

A floodlight, specifically a unit that produces a beam of intense light.

Flood In the Bible, the covering of the earth with water that occurred during the time of Noah.

To cover or submerge with water; inundate

To move into or fill in large numbers or amounts

To overwhelm in large numbers

To put too much fuel into the carburetor of (an engine), resulting in unsuccessful ignition.

To become inundated or submerged

To pour forth; overflow

An overflow (usually disastrous) of water from a lake or other body of water due to excessive rainfall or other input of water.

(figuratively) A large number or quantity of anything appearing more rapidly than can easily be dealt with.

The flowing in of the tide, opposed to the ebb.

A floodlight.

Menstrual discharge; menses.

(obsolete) Water as opposed to land.

To overflow, as by water from excessive rainfall.

To cover or partly fill as if by a flood.

(figuratively) To provide (someone or something) with a larger number or quantity of something than can easily be dealt with.

To paste numerous lines of text to (a chat system) in order to disrupt the conversation.

To bleed profusely, as after childbirth.

A great flow of water; a body of moving water; the flowing stream, as of a river; especially, a body of water, rising, swelling, and overflowing land not usually thus covered; a deluge; a freshet; an inundation.

The flowing in of the tide; the semidiurnal swell or rise of water in the ocean; - opposed to ebb; as, young flood; high flood.

A great flow or stream of any fluid substance; as, a flood of light; a flood of lava; hence, a great quantity widely diffused; an overflowing; a superabundance; as, a flood of bank notes; a flood of paper currency.

Menstrual disharge; menses.

To overflow; to inundate; to deluge; as, the swollen river flooded the valley.

To cause or permit to be inundated; to fill or cover with water or other fluid; as, to flood arable land for irrigation; to fill to excess or to its full capacity; as, to flood a country with a depreciated currency.

The rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land;

An overwhelming number or amount;

Light that is a source of artificial illumination having a broad beam; used in photography

A large flow

The act of flooding; filling to overflowing

The inward flow of the tide;

Fill quickly beyond capacity; as with a liquid;

Cover with liquid, usually water;

Supply with an excess of;

Become filled to overflowing;

Flood refers to submerging of usually dry areas.

Flood can signify an excessive amount or number.

No, tidal waves are caused by the gravitational interactions of the sun and moon, while tsunamis result from undersea disturbances.

Mostly, but human activities like deforestation and poor urban planning can exacerbate or even cause flooding.

While we can't prevent natural rainfall, proper urban planning, and water management can mitigate flood risks.

To some extent, with the help of meteorological data and water level monitoring, floods can be predicted.

It varies, but a tsunami can reach the coast within minutes to several hours after the seismic activity.

Major undersea earthquakes are the primary cause, but volcanic eruptions and landslides can also trigger tsunamis.

Yes, flash floods can occur in deserts due to sudden heavy rainfall.

Dams can regulate water flow and reduce flood risks, but if not managed correctly, they can also cause floods.

Yes, floods occur more frequently worldwide than tsunamis.

In deep water, a tsunami can travel at speeds up to 500-800 kilometers per hour.

Yes, but they're most common in the Pacific Ocean due to the active tectonic boundaries.

Tsunamis can reach heights of 100 feet or more, depending on the seismic energy released.

While rain is a common cause, floods can also result from melting snow, dam failures, and storm surges.