How Tsunamis Happen
A tsunami is one of the most powerful natural phenomena on Earth. It can happen suddenly and bring serious damage to coastal areas.
In this explanation text, we will learn how tsunamis happen step by step in simple English.
Purpose: To explain how tsunamis happen.
What Is a Tsunami?
The word tsunami comes from Japanese. Tsu means harbor, and nami means wave. A tsunami is a series of large sea waves caused by a sudden movement under the sea.
A tsunami is different from ordinary waves. Normal waves are usually caused by wind, but tsunamis are usually caused by strong movements of the ocean floor.
Tsunamis are not caused by ordinary sea waves or tides. They are caused by a sudden movement of a large amount of water.
How Do Tsunamis Happen?
Tsunamis usually happen because of underwater earthquakes. Here is the simple process:
1. An underwater earthquake happens
A strong earthquake happens under the sea. It may happen when tectonic plates move suddenly.
2. The seafloor moves
The earthquake can make the seafloor move up or down very quickly.
3. Water is pushed upward
When the seafloor moves, a huge amount of water above it is pushed upward.
4. Waves travel across the ocean
The displaced water spreads out as waves. These waves can travel very far across the ocean.
5. Waves become higher near the coast
When the waves reach shallow water near the coast, they slow down and become much higher.
6. The tsunami reaches land
Finally, the waves crash onto the shore and may cause flooding and damage.
Example of Explanation Text
How Tsunamis Happen
General Statement
A tsunami is a series of large ocean waves caused by a sudden movement of water. It usually happens because of an underwater earthquake, volcanic eruption, or landslide.
Sequenced Explanation
First, a strong earthquake happens under the sea. This earthquake can make the seafloor move suddenly.
Then, the movement of the seafloor pushes a large amount of water upward. The water tries to return to a normal level, so it spreads out across the ocean as waves.
In the deep ocean, tsunami waves may not look very high. However, when the waves come near the coast, the water becomes shallower. As a result, the waves slow down and grow higher.
Finally, the tsunami reaches the land. The large waves can flood coastal areas and cause serious damage.
Closing
So, a tsunami happens because a large amount of water is suddenly displaced. This process can create powerful waves that travel across the ocean and reach the coast.
Why Is This Text an Explanation Text?
This text is an explanation text because it explains a natural process. It does not give instructions like a procedure text. Instead, it explains how a tsunami happens from the beginning until the waves reach the land.
Language Features in This Text
This explanation text uses some common language features, such as:
- Simple present tense: A tsunami is a series of large ocean waves.
- Action verbs: happens, moves, pushes, spreads, reaches
- Passive voice: Water is pushed upward.
- Cause and effect words: because, so, as a result
- Time sequence words: first, then, finally
- Technical terms: tsunami, earthquake, seafloor, tectonic plates, coastal areas
Practice Questions
Try to answer these questions first. Click each question to see the answer.
1. What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is a series of large ocean waves caused by a sudden movement of water.
2. What usually causes a tsunami?
A tsunami is usually caused by an underwater earthquake, but it can also be caused by a volcanic eruption or landslide.
3. What happens when the seafloor moves suddenly?
A large amount of water above it is pushed upward.
4. Why do tsunami waves become higher near the coast?
They become higher because the water becomes shallower, so the waves slow down and rise.
5. Why is this text called an explanation text?
Because it explains how a tsunami happens through a clear process.
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Conclusion
A tsunami happens when a large amount of water is suddenly displaced, usually because of an underwater earthquake. The waves travel across the ocean and become higher near the coast. This text is an explanation text because it explains how a natural phenomenon happens.