A large and destructive wave created by an earthquake is an example of a tsunami.
Origin of tsunamiJapanese ; from tsu, a harbor + nami, a wave
nounpl. tsu·na·mis or tsunami
Origin of tsunamiJapanese : tsu, harbor + nami, wave (so called because tsunamis generally pass unnoticed on the open sea, causing a slight swell, but rise to cause damage in the shallow waters of harbors ).
(plural tsunamis or tsunami)
From Japanese æ´¥æ³¢ / æ´¥æµª (ã¤ãªã¿ (tsunami, “seismic sea wave", literally “harbour wave")).