OT tragicomedy

Actually, I believe tsunami is one of those weird hemisphere-dependent
words that depends on where the event occurs. Just like "typhoon" in
east Asia and "hurricane" in North America. So I don't think it's a
renaming. If one of those things hits California it'll probably still
be called a "tidal wave".

Likely, but not correct. Tidal Waves are large waves caused by normal
tides. Tsunamis are waves caused by geographic changes on the ocean
floor.
Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA

Flyin'8 wrote:

Actually, I believe tsunami is one of those weird
hemisphere-dependent
words that depends on where the event occurs.

Likely, but not correct. Tidal Waves are large waves caused by
normal
tides. Tsunamis are waves caused by geographic changes on the ocean
floor.

I wasn't certain of my original words, but this I'm sure is wrong.
Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary gives as a synonym for tsunami:
TIDAL WAVE. And defines "tidal wave" as: "an unusually high sea wave
that sometimes follows an earthquake". And "an unusual rise of water
alongshore due to strong winds". Tidal waves have nothing to do with
tides.

Jim Rosinski

Tidal waves have nothing to do with
tides.

Actually, true tidal waves have everything to do with tides, and can
be huge (and come in twice a day). When the incoming water from the
tide is focused in an inlet of the proper shape and orientation, the
resulting pile of water can get very high. It happens twice a day and
is called a tidal wave.

Jose
--
Money: What you need when you run out of brains.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

"Jose" wrote in message
. com...
Tidal waves have nothing to do with
tides.

Actually, true tidal waves have everything to do with tides, and can
be huge (and come in twice a day). When the incoming water from the
tide is focused in an inlet of the proper shape and orientation, the
resulting pile of water can get very high. It happens twice a day and
is called a tidal wave.

I believe you are thinking of a tidal bore. It is not called a tidal wave.

Flyin'8 wrote:

Actually, I believe tsunami is one of those weird hemisphere-dependent
words that depends on where the event occurs. Just like "typhoon" in
east Asia and "hurricane" in North America. So I don't think it's a
renaming. If one of those things hits California it'll probably still
be called a "tidal wave".


Likely, but not correct. Tidal Waves are large waves caused by normal
tides. Tsunamis are waves caused by geographic changes on the ocean
floor.

That's the distinction made recently, but it wasn't so clear formerly.
My 1963 Funk & Wagnalls gives the definition of tidal wave as:
"1. Any great incoming rise of waters along a shore, caused by
windstorms at sea or by excessively high tides. 2. A tsunami.
3. A great movement in popular feeling, opinion, action, etc."

And under tsunami it mentions that it's sometimes also called
a "tidal wave."

Webster's in 1913 gave the following for tidal wave:
"n : a huge destructive wave (especially one caused by an
earthquake) [syn: tsunami]"

But I agree that an earthquake induced ocean wave hitting
California would now be categorized as a tsunami.

Likely, but not correct. Tidal Waves are large waves caused by normal
tides.

Tidal wave: "an exceptionally large ocean wave, esp one caused by an
underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption ... cf tsunami:" -- Shorter
Oxford English Dictionary.

Tsunami is of fairly recent vintage in the English language (late 19th
century). It means "harbor wave" in Japanese, so in truth is no more
accurate than the English term. I suspect it got into common use as a
result of scientists' fondness for foreign words and phrases.

A large wave caused by a normal tide is a "bore" in this part of the
world. Dunno about elsewhere.


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
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On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 05:54:07 -0500, Cub Driver
wrote:


Likely, but not correct. Tidal Waves are large waves caused by normal
tides.

Tidal wave: "an exceptionally large ocean wave, esp one caused by an
underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption ... cf tsunami:" -- Shorter
Oxford English Dictionary.

Tsunami is of fairly recent vintage in the English language (late 19th
century). It means "harbor wave" in Japanese, so in truth is no more
accurate than the English term. I suspect it got into common use as a

But it is accurate. The Tsunami, or Tidal Wave if you prefer, is
almost invisible out in open water. It only manifests its nasty side
and size when it reaches relatively shallow water.

In open water you most likely would never have known the thing even
went by even at 500 MPH.

result of scientists' fondness for foreign words and phrases.

A large wave caused by a normal tide is a "bore" in this part of the
world. Dunno about elsewhere.

I've always thought they were exciting rather than a bore. :-))

Incidentally, I believe there are the indications of some tremendous
waves having hit the northern parts of Australia. They would be what
are referred to as Super Tsunamis with heights of several hundred
meters. I don't believe any were in recorded history though.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
the blog: www.danford.net