Earthquake Glossary

There are 16 entries in this glossary.
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Tsunamis

These are a series of sea waves caused by a mass disturbance of water usually generated by an undersea earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslides, or meteors impacting the sea. Eruptions at submarine volcanoes may also generate tsunami. The Kick-‘em-Jenny volcano just off the north-west coast of Grenada is one such regularly active volcano in the Eastern Caribbean. However, currently, its depth below the surface makes tsunami generation unlikely. Approaching tsunamis are sometimes heralded by a noticeable rise or fall in coastal water. Historical records show that the Virgin Islands earthquake of 1867 generated a tsunami which affected St. Thomas and Tortola in the Virgin Islands.

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Out of 500,000 earthquakes each year only 20% can be felt.