Below you will find general information on how local tsunamis are generated by earthquakes as well as animations, virtual reality models of tsunamis, and summaries of past research studies. The scope of tsunami research within the USGS, however, is broader than the topics covered here. USGS researchers have also provided critical research toward understanding how sediments are transported during tsunami runup (see, for example, analysis of deposits (1.8 MB) from the recent Papua New Guinea tsunami) and deciphering the geologic record of prehistoric tsunamis (for example, in the Pacific Northwest). The USGS also collaborates with the tsunami research group at NOAA. As part of this effort under the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, the USGS has upgraded the seismograph network and communication functions of the west coast tsunami warning system (termed CREST -- Consolidated Reporting of EarthquakeS and Tsunamis).
For further information select one of the topics below. Other tsunami sites are listed on the links page.
The Basics: Life of a Tsunami (56 kb)
Tsunamis in the U.S. Pacific Northwest
The 1998 Papua New Guinea Tsunami
Tsunami and Earthquake Links
http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/tsunami/
Interesting, thank you.
Has anyone seen any pictures or video footage of the tidal waves?