Triggered by sub-sea quakes or volcanic eruptions, Tsunamis are powerful waves that can destroy regions along the coast. Although natural causes are mostly responsible for them, human beings can significantly worsen their impact.
Developing Coastal Regions
Human settlements and development of infrastructure on vulnerable coastlines increase the chances of tsunamis occurring. Urbanization results in building up in areas prone to hazards, such as houses, ports, and hotels, which increase the potential for devastation during tsunamis.
Deforestation and Shoreline Erosion
Clearing coastal mangroves and forests mainly for agriculture or development leaves no natural barriers mitigating tsunamis’ effect. Such ecosystems help absorb wave energy alongside stabilizing beaches. In their absence, coastal erosion becomes even worse, thereby increasing communities’ vulnerability to tsunami waves.
Climate Change and Ocean Level Rise
Sea level rise caused by climate change contributes to the severity of tsunamis. Higher sea levels suggest that even smaller tsunamis may reach farther inland, flooding a wider area and inflicting heavier damage on coastal populations. The world’s ocean temperatures also change with global warming altering ocean currents, which could influence how often big waves occur inside oceans’ water bodies.
ASH CK