Tsunamis are created primarily by the sudden displacement of a large volume of water, usually triggered by underwater geological events. The main causes include:

• Earthquakes: Most tsunamis are generated by undersea earthquakes, especially along subduction zones where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another. When the overriding plate snaps upward or downward, it displaces the sea floor and the water above it, initiating a tsunami

• Landslides: Both submarine and above-water landslides can displace water and generate tsunamis. Submarine landslides occur when sediment moves along the sea floor, altering the equilibrium sea level and triggering waves

• Volcanic Eruptions: Violent underwater volcanic eruptions can cause impulsive forces that displace water and generate tsunamis

• Other Causes: Less commonly, tsunamis can be caused by meteorite impacts, seamount collapses, or glacier calvings, although these are rare

The process begins with the sudden movement of the seabed, which displaces the overlying water column, creating a wave that spreads rapidly across the ocean at speeds up to 800 km/h (about 500 mph)

. In deep water, the tsunami waves are low and spread out, making them hard to detect. As they approach shallower coastal waters, the waves slow down and increase in height due to friction with the seabed, sometimes reaching heights of tens of meters and causing devastating flooding inland

. In summary, tsunamis are typically created by sudden vertical movements of the ocean floor caused by tectonic activity, landslides, or volcanic eruptions, which displace large volumes of water and generate powerful waves that travel across oceans