Some earthquake zones may act as focus points for tsunamis, causing more destruction than expected. Researchers with the University of South Carolina have found that some areas act as “magnets” for the giant waves.
Previously it was thought tsunamis lost height and power the closer they came to shore, and that wave height couldn’t exceed depth of the seafloor. New evidence suggests some areas funnel tsunamis, causing no loss of height and up to a 50% increase in flooding.
During a quake parts of the seafloor rise and fall. On some coasts this can cause a tsunami to hit with unusual force. The findings will be used to identify danger zones and save lives in the future.
Read more at University of Southern California