Yes, they are waves, but they are often very long waves. A typical 1m wave might be 20m long. A tsunami wave might be a kilometer long or longer. That is why people say they are like a tide. The wave arrives, then does not recede for several minutes. So, while a 4m wind driven wave might break over a seawall and even wash a car off the road, a 4m tsunami washes ships over that same seawall and floods the city.
It’s a wave, but it is often not at all like a regular ocean wave. I’ve been at sea when a 3m tsunami passed, we barely felt it. If it had been a 3m wind wave in that otherwise calm sea, it would have knocked dinner off the table.
Perhaps we can just go back to calling them tidal waves. Which is also ambiguous. I guess if I had any point it's just that it's not colloquial to call tsunami waves, its technical. If anything distinguishing based on how they feel compared to regular wind waves is more colloquial.
Honestly tidal wave, a wave that comes in like the tide, might actually be a better term than tsunami (lit Harbor Wave) A wave that destroys your harbor? A wave found in your harbor(a place where there are usually no waves)? What if you are not in a harbor, do you still get a wave?
I am just having a bit of linguistic fun. Tsunami is a great clear distinct term for what can be a very destructive event.
Yes, they are waves, but they are often very long waves. A typical 1m wave might be 20m long. A tsunami wave might be a kilometer long or longer. That is why people say they are like a tide. The wave arrives, then does not recede for several minutes. So, while a 4m wind driven wave might break over a seawall and even wash a car off the road, a 4m tsunami washes ships over that same seawall and floods the city.
It’s a wave, but it is often not at all like a regular ocean wave. I’ve been at sea when a 3m tsunami passed, we barely felt it. If it had been a 3m wind wave in that otherwise calm sea, it would have knocked dinner off the table.
So are tides.
Perhaps we can just go back to calling them tidal waves. Which is also ambiguous. I guess if I had any point it's just that it's not colloquial to call tsunami waves, its technical. If anything distinguishing based on how they feel compared to regular wind waves is more colloquial.
Honestly tidal wave, a wave that comes in like the tide, might actually be a better term than tsunami (lit Harbor Wave) A wave that destroys your harbor? A wave found in your harbor(a place where there are usually no waves)? What if you are not in a harbor, do you still get a wave?
I am just having a bit of linguistic fun. Tsunami is a great clear distinct term for what can be a very destructive event.