Tsunami vs. Hurricane — What's the Difference?

A series of ocean waves caused by large underwater disturbances.

A severe tropical cyclone with high winds and heavy rain.

Designated safe paths to higher ground.

Designed to withstand hurricane conditions.

Areas highly vulnerable to tsunami waves.

The time of year when hurricanes are most likely to occur.

An alert issued if a tsunami is likely to strike.

A safe location for protection during a hurricane.

A wave in a series that represents a tsunami.

An alert that a hurricane may occur in the area.

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.

A severe tropical cyclone having winds greater than 64 knots (74 miles per hour; 119 kilometers per hour), originating in the equatorial regions of the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea or eastern regions of the Pacific Ocean, traveling north, northwest, or northeast from its point of origin, and usually involving heavy rains.

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

A wind with a speed greater than 64 knots (74 miles per hour; 119 kilometers per hour per hour), according to the Beaufort scale.

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

Something resembling a hurricane in force or speed.

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.

A severe tropical cyclone in the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, or in the eastern North Pacific off the west coast of Mexico, with winds of 119 km/h (74 miles per hour) or greater accompanied by rain, lightning, and thunder that sometimes moves into temperate latitudes.

(figurative) A large and generally unstoppable surge.

(meteorology) A wind scale for quite strong wind, stronger than a storm

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

"full—triple-full—full" – an acrobatic maneuver consisting of three flips and five twists, with one twist on the first flip, three twists on the second flip, one twist on the third flip

A violent storm, characterized by extreme fury and sudden changes of the wind, and generally accompanied by rain, thunder, and lightning; - especially prevalent in the East and West Indies. Also used figuratively.

A severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving a 73-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)

A tsunami is primarily caused by significant underwater disturbances such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.

Coastal regions, especially around the Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire," are most susceptible to tsunamis.

Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters, fueled by the heat and moisture from the sea surface.

Tsunamis can travel at speeds up to 500 miles per hour (800 km/h) in open water.

Hurricanes can cause extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism, leading to significant economic losses.

A hurricane can last for over a week as it moves across the ocean and onto land.

Common signs include changes in weather patterns, heavy rain, strong winds, and meteorological warnings.

Preparations include securing property, stocking up on emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes.

They include seismic activity monitors to detect earthquakes and ocean buoys to measure sudden changes in water level.

Tsunamis can disrupt marine habitats and displace a large amount of sea life but typically do not have a long-term impact on marine populations.

Rebuilding involves clearing debris, restoring essential services, and improving coastal defenses.

While immediate predictions are challenging, regions at risk can prepare based on seismic activity and historical data.

Governments issue warnings, organize evacuations, and coordinate disaster relief and recovery efforts.

Tsunamis are not measured on a scale like hurricanes, which are categorized by the Saffir-Simpson scale based on wind speed.

Buildings designed to be hurricane-proof with features like reinforced walls and storm shutters can mitigate damage.