Boulder offers extensive data bases on tsunamis

The Japanese name tsunami has become the general appellation for the great seismic ocean waves generated by submarine earthquakes, landslides or volcanic eruption. These enormously energetic “tidal” waves can become extremely high and steep as they enter shallow coastal waters. The great tsunami of 1707 is said to have taken 30 000 Japanese lives. A 1964 tsunami did extensive damage to the coasts of Alaska and northern California.