Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 205

Tsunamis are not caused by

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the physical forces that can displace large volumes of water.

Correct Answer: A) Hurricanes

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Banking Exams, Civil Services

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

Tsunamis are large ocean waves that are typically caused by sudden and significant displacement of water. The primary causes of tsunamis include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and undersea landslides. These events can displace a large volume of water, leading to the formation of a tsunami. The waves generated by a tsunami can be extremely destructive when they reach the shore, due to their height and the force with which they move.

Earthquakes are the most common cause of tsunamis. When an earthquake occurs under the ocean, it can cause the seafloor to move up or down, displacing a large volume of water. This displacement can create a series of waves that travel across the ocean at high speeds. As the waves approach the shore, they slow down and increase in height, potentially causing significant damage to coastal areas.

Volcanic eruptions can also cause tsunamis, particularly when they occur under the ocean. The eruption can cause a large amount of material to be ejected into the water, displacing a significant volume of water and generating a tsunami. Similarly, undersea landslides can cause tsunamis by displacing a large amount of sediment or rock into the ocean, leading to the formation of a tsunami.

While hurricanes can cause large waves and significant damage, they do not typically cause tsunamis. Hurricanes are powerful storms that can generate strong winds and heavy rainfall, leading to storm surges and flooding. However, they do not cause the sudden and significant displacement of water that is characteristic of tsunamis. Therefore, hurricanes are not a cause of tsunamis.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is correct. Hurricanes, while they can cause significant damage and large waves, do not typically cause tsunamis. Tsunamis are caused by sudden and significant displacement of water, which is not a characteristic of hurricanes.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. Earthquakes are a primary cause of tsunamis. When an earthquake occurs under the ocean, it can displace a large volume of water, leading to the formation of a tsunami.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. Volcanic eruptions can also cause tsunamis. When a volcano erupts under the ocean, the resulting displacement of water can generate a tsunami.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. Undersea landslides are another cause of tsunamis. When a large amount of sediment or rock slides into the ocean, it can displace a significant volume of water, leading to the formation of a tsunami.

Mnemonic: Tsunamis: Earth, Volcano, Landslide (EVL)

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