creative writing about a tsunami

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Creative Writing- The Tsunami

                                Creative Writing- The Tsunami                                

The tides came crashing through, eliminating everything that came in their way. We were like little ants scurrying around looking for our home, a shelter, anything that would protect us from the savage tide that wanted to wipe us off of the face of the earth. It was too late for the people on the beach; they had already been taken prisoner, drowned forever in their tears of sorrow and fear.

It didn’t feel like it would be much longer before I was shackled and chained up as well. I felt like I had been running for hours, I wouldn’t have been able to keep it up for much longer. The tide just kept coming and there was nothing powerful enough to stop it. What about God? What about The Almighty One that I had been praying to for all these years? This would’ve been a great time for Him to make an entrance. I began to feel the water around my ankles. They were trying to clasp me… trying to imprison me for eternity. It felt like it was over for me, time to give up and hand myself in… but for what? I mean I hadn’t done anything wrong and I’ve still got my whole life ahead of me. I wasn’t about to give in just yet, and luckily God just made His entrance. I could hear the tide slowing down behind me, but it wasn’t over yet though. I could see a rising shadow going on for at least two hundred yards ahead of me, I turned around with apprehension and looked it in the eye. It looked back snarling, the blue, translucent wave crashed on top of me.

I woke up squinting; the light was penetrating my eye. I stood up and found myself naked in the middle of the Sri Lankan jungle. Was it Sri Lanka? Or was it heaven? Last thing I remember was me knocked out after something hit me. Was it a fist? Was it a bus? I hadn’t a clue. I guess this must be heaven. Wow, I would never have thought I’d die at the age of sixteen. Well at least I don’t have to go to school tomorrow!

I searched around the Garden of Eden; there was no shortage of sweet coconuts or juicy mangos, but where was everyone else? Could this be hell and not heaven? I mean hell doesn’t necessarily have to be a fiery cave where there’s a guy in a red cape prodding you with his trident. I heard about this sort of thing, my mum told me. She said hell is your worst nightmare, you may not even know what it is, but it is your worst nightmare. My heart began to beat faster, what if this is hell? What if I’m never going to see my parent’s again? I began to run. I don’t know where I was running to, but I just had to get out of this place. ‘Garden of Eden’! What was I thinking?

It began to get dark and I was still naked without a single cloth to cover my shame. I was cold and frightened so I used the large palm leaves to keep myself warm over the night.

I woke up, still distraught. ‘He’s over here! I found him! He’s over here!’ announced a dirty, scruffy man strapped with an AK-47. Confused and afraid I began to back off as he tried to come nearer. I drew further away as he drew nearer. Another man came up behind me and another two had me from the sides… I was surrounded.

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They began to snarl and snigger, telling me I had nowhere to hide. One of them drew nearer not knowing that I was aware of him, he tried to pounce and that’s when I made a break for it. He came up from behind and tried to grab me into a headlock, I spun around leaving him head first in the dirt and just ran. The others, after tending to their partner, began to chase me. They had no chance of catching me. I was young, fit and scared out of my wits…I ran for my life.

Once establishing they had no chance of catching me they began to shoot. Four or five whizzed passed my shoulder until one hit me in the leg. It pierced my left leg ripped through my muscle and came out through the front. I hit the ground pretty hard and banged my head against a blunt rock that was ‘conveniently’ right where my head was.

I was knocked out again and woke up in a cell, this time I was dressed. One of the guys from earlier was rattling the cell bars to wake everyone up. Someone opened my cell door and began to walk towards me, I was still frightened and huddled myself in a corner. He violently grabbed me by my hair and threw me out of the cell. There were other prisoners there, some that I’m positive I recognised from before I got knocked out and ended up in the jungle. What on earth was going on? Was this really hell?

The guard who dragged me by the hair asked me what was wrong with me. I had a million things wrong with me, I didn’t know where to begin. Instead I just kept quiet and unwillingly got into the line.

 We marched to the showers outside. For some reason I was hesitant to get into the showers, I just felt like there was a danger or something when it came to water. The guards arrived soon and I was forced to take a shower. I wasn’t about to try and find out what would happen if I didn’t. After the shower, we were taken to some sort of boot camp. There was an assault course, rifle shooting, everything, as though we were some kind of trainee army. There were no women here it was just men. The ages ranged from about twelve to forty. We were being treated like dogs, we had to complete the assault course fifteen times within a time limit, or otherwise they would shoot us in the foot. I didn’t know what was going on, but I decided that I was just going to do as I was told.

I saw one of the younger kid’s he was about thirteen years old with short hair, he was struggling a lot with the course and began to lose his breath. He fell at the second to last hurdle and everyone began to over take him. I looked over to the guards… they noticed him. One of the guards came rushing over, swearing at the boy and lifted the boy by his ear. The boy began to whimper as the guard threw countless slaps across the boy’s face. The guard took the boy into the jungle… every one stopped when they began to hear the boy wailing and crying out for help. The boy came out whimpering, holding on to his falling trousers as he ran in to the toilets. The guard came out a few seconds after with a satisfied smirk on his face, tucking his shirt in to his trousers. Everyone glared at the guard with the most piercing of looks. The guard, tense and somewhat frightened, shot his rifle in the air and yelled at everyone to get back to what they were doing.

I was first to finish the assault course and I asked if I could go to the toilet. The guard said ‘be quick’. When I got to the toilet I heard whimpering, it was the young boy. I found him curled up inside one of the cubicles. He told me to go away when I asked him what happened in the jungle.

“I’m only here to help, I won’t tell anyone… what happened?”

“As if you don’t know”

He replied in a shuddering voice. I asked him his name, he replied ‘Bhavan’. I asked Bhavan how he got here. He gave me a weird look and replied ‘You know very well how I got here you bastard, leave me alone!’ I didn’t know what I had done to make him so angry with me.

“Look here’s the deal, I woke up yesterday in the middle of that jungle, and some men chased me then shot me. I woke up this morning in the cell without a clue where I am, what I’m doing here, who these people are, or how I’m going to get out of here! Now can you help me with any of these question’s or not?”

“You’re that boy aren’t you?”

“What?”

“You’re that boy, the one that survived the tsunami”

“What tsu-…”

That’s when it hit me I began to remember everything. I was out with my family; my mum, my dad and my little sister. We were on our way to the beach, but mum forgot the sun tan lotion and

I had to go back home and get it. When I got home I went upstairs to check in mum and dad’s bedroom. I couldn’t find it so I came back downstairs and saw it in the living room on the coffee table. I went to retrieve it… when I heard screams, very loud screams.

I rushed out side to see what it was. I saw an army of people, including my parents and my little sister, running towards me screaming and yelling for help. Still I was unsure what they were running away from and suddenly out of nowhere a gargantuan tidal wave washed them clean away. Shocked and unbelieving I stood there for at least another minute rubbing my eyes in disbelief. I saw another wave heading my way. I ran and I ran but the wave got me too. But…I didn’t die. Someone…those guards they rescued me. They took my body before the water back flowed in to the ocean. Once I’d regained consciousness…. that guard… the one that took Bhavan into the jungle, I remember him whispering some thing in my ear as I woke up. He told me he’d be gentle. He said to be quiet. He said this was our little secret. I looked around and we were…we were naked? Confused and frightened I stood up shocked. He asked me to calm down and when I refused, we got into a bit of a fight, and then he injected me with something; a sleepy drug that knocks you out and erases your memory or something. Before the drug got to its full effect I managed to break free of his grasp and made a run for it to the jungle. Then those guards shot at me and I woke up here.

 When I told Bhavan all of this his face looked as though it had just seen a ghost. Bhavan told me that these ‘soldiers’ were the ‘Tamil Tigers’ a rebel gang that wanted to overtake the Sri Lankan government. They were recruiting young orphans and those who have nothing to lose to fight for them. The guard that raped Bhavan and I was General Gander, he ran this place. He was behind so many attacks on civilians in Sri Lanka. As Bhavan told me all this I became shocked and enraged, I was absolutely fuming, I needed to do something, I had to get back at General Gander for what he’d done.

That night I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t stop thinking about my family…well at least they were together. I started to reminisce all the good times I used to have with my family. All of the joyous moments we shared together, like that time when we went to India and that monkey was following us everywhere, he stole Suzie’s lunch.

I couldn’t take it any more! What was the use in me living!? I don’t believe in a single thing that these ‘rebels’ were fighting for. And that General Gander… I wanted to murder him!

The next morning I awoke sharp and alert, the perfect soldier, only spoke when spoken to, best at the rifle shooting, didn’t make eye contact with anyone… Then he arrived.

 That sadistic monster crawled out of his hole and came out to inspect the rifle shooting. Bhavan was shooting about ten yards away and there were four people between us. Bhavan began to shake and shiver, he couldn’t even hold his rifle upright when Gander arrived. Bhavan was next to be inspected and he started to whimper again. Gander waltzed up behind with a smirk. He grasped a hold of Bhavan’s buttocks and whispered something in his ear. Bhavan began to shiver and shake so much that his knees turned to jelly and he couldn’t even stand up. The poor boy wet his pants and was standing in a puddle of his own urine. A few of the guards and some of the other younger prisoners began to laugh at him. Gander didn’t have a clue what was going to happen when he got to me.

He was done with the guy beside me then he came over to me. This was it, this was my chance to kill him and no way was I about to hesitate. Gander didn’t recognise me I kept my face forward and he stood behind me. He wrote a few things on his clipboard then moved on.

I grabbed Gander from behind. I locked my right arm around his neck and held my rifle to his head. All the guards raised their AK-47’s and aimed them straight at me. They kept shouting at me to put the gun down. Why couldn’t I pull the trigger? I’d been planning this all day and night.          

   I failed… I couldn’t pull the trigger… I don’t know what happened. The need I had for Gander’s blood was lost and as I loosened my grip around Gander’s neck he was able to escape and shouted;

“Cuff up this Bastard!”

The soldiers beat me to my knees in front of everyone. They held me still and pulled my head back from my hair as Gander reached for his pistol.

“Let this be a lesson to all of you, if you think you can take me this is what happens!”         

As he was cocking his pistol he aimed it directly at my throat. It was the end for me, I had my chance and I blew it. Everyone stood anxious and nervous to see if he was really going to shoot.

“BANG!”

I opened my eyes and I was still there. I had no wounds, no blood was pouring out of the back of my head. I was still alive. Gander collapsed to the ground a clean bullet hole went straight through his head. Behind him stood Bhavan still shivering and whimpering this time his hands clasped a smoking rifle that was aimed directly at Gander’s head.

The guards didn’t know what to do. They were shocked, still holding my hair. I stood up and pushed them aside. All the prisoners, armed with rifles. We stood side by side facing the weak and vulnerable guards. One of the guards reached for his weapon, and then we just started firing. We shot and shot at them until the end of our magazines.

We were free, no more Gander, no more guards. The prisoners began to dance and hoololate.

“We are free!”  

One man shouted. I still didn’t feel free… I thought the death of Gander would bring me joy and happiness. I ran to the jungle. Once I got there I just started to run and run some more, in no particular direction, just until the day comes that I may join my parents and my little sister.  

Document Details

• Word Count 2700
• Page Count 4
• Subject English

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tsunami - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

• death at sea

The tsunami wave crashed louder than the explosions in the quarry and the water washed in the town like it were no more substantial than an architect's scale model abandoned on the sands. It was the extinguishing of a dream, of a way of life, easier than wet fingers on a candle flame. It wasn't just the buildings that got taken out to sea, it was everything we were. In its wake we were like empty jars on a shelf, still holding our forms but without anything left inside.

When the wave retreated we walked down the mountainside in single file, the occasional cry from a child or a gull wheeling above was the only break in an otherwise oppressive silence. The land now smelled just like the beach, all that salt seeping into the farmland. All around were household items: teapots, kettles, toasters, chairs and computers. Every one of them oozed sea-water, saturated and broken. All these things we "needed" from the stores were now just hunks of metal and yet we had to be glad that our hearts beat in our chests and that our bones weren't as cold as those scattered appliances. The homes that still stood were beyond repair, the walls leaning and roofs gone.

When the water came over the land it wasn't with the gentleness of spring rain but the power of a nuclear-blast shockwave. It moved over the sleepy fishing town with more ease than a wave over the sand, reducing the homes of generations to kindling. The people had moved to higher ground, huddled in a barn and prayed. The devastation was total: no salvage, no livestock, no boats. That was the day that my brother was born, his cries echoing under the ferocity of the gale, as if to demand that life went on no matter how tough it got.

The ocean had always conjured comforting ideas into my head. Whenever I was frazzled in the head I would close my eyes and visit it, dive right in, feeling the cool caress of the brine. So on that fateful day I was at ease, there was nothing that calmed me more than the feel of damp sand between my toes and the early morning rays warming my red hair. Sometimes I would wonder if I had more freckles than the beach had shells, but that morning all such self-absorbed curiosities were erased. The water began to draw back, right back. I was such an idiot, I pulled out my phone to take a picture and sent it with a LOL to Greg. It pinged back in a second. "Run, tsunami." I've never felt the heat leave my body so fast as it did in that brief moment. Then an alarm rent the air, violent and crude. I knew I had to move before the roads got jammed. I'll never forget the aftermath, the flattened homes and tossed vehicles, some of them packed with fleeing families, kids and all.

“If you've ever tried to move a full bucket of water you know how much that small amount weighs, now imagine billions of buckets moving with the speed of an express locomotive twenty feet high. It's not something you want to mess with, son. So if you ever hear that siren or see the ocean tide go way out all of a sudden you get the hell out of dodge. And don't even think of looking for your Mom and me, we'll get ourselves out. You take that motorcycle of yours and get to the high ground. You will have to live without us someday anyhow, but we'd just die without you - whether our hearts were beating or not.”

I am told there were a group on the beach that never ran. They sat and prayed on bended knee. Personally I would have run until my lungs exploded. God is a spirit, he doesn't make or stop tsunamis, earthquakes or hurricanes. He'd love to rescue us all I'm sure, but he can't. He won't ever leave you, no matter what, but you need to help yourself. We haven't found the bodies yet and perhaps we won't; that mammoth wave pushed through the town like a mile wide freight train and went on into the forest behind. I hear there are laundry machines on top of mature trees and fragments of house spread like kitty litter.

The tsunami wave that hit was nothing like the waves that lapped the shore every minute of every day. It was a wall of water, cold and powerful. It raced at the shoreline as swift and unforgiving as an axe, felling anything and everyone in its path. It had no emotion, no thought, no hesitation. It just came, granting a few seconds to enjoy breathing the ocean air before it wrapped each victim in frigid foamy fingers to the ocean floor.

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How To Describe Waves in Writing (100+ Examples & Words)

Waves are more than just water — they’re a canvas for storytelling. In writing, capturing the essence of waves can bring scenes to life.

Here is how to describe waves in writing:

Describe waves in writing by focusing on elements such as size, color, sound, movement, texture, temperature, shape, speed, force, impact, and rhythm. Use vivid words and phrases to convey the wave’s character and emotion.

Let’s dive into the different types of waves and explore how to describe them effectively.

Types of Waves

Table of Contents

Understanding the types of waves is crucial for vivid descriptions. There are primarily three kinds:

• Oceanic Waves: Generated by wind, these waves are common in seas and oceans.
• Tsunami Waves: Caused by underwater disturbances like earthquakes, these are massive and destructive.
• Tidal Waves: Influenced by the moon’s gravity, these are predictable and occur in cycles.

Each type of wave carries a unique character, influencing how they should be described in writing.

1. Size : Understanding Wave Size

Size matters when it comes to describing waves. It sets the stage for the scene’s mood. Is the wave towering and intimidating, or small and playful? The size of a wave can convey emotions, from tranquility to terror.

Example Sentences:

• The waves were colossal, looming over the ship like angry titans.
• Tiny waves danced around my ankles, tickling my feet.
• A medium-sized wave playfully tossed the surfers towards the shore.
• Gigantic waves crashed against the cliff, sending sprays of foam skyward.
• Small, gentle waves whispered secrets to the sandy beach.
• The wave was a monster, swallowing the sun as it rose.
• Miniature waves lapped lazily against the boat.
• A massive wave surged forward, a liquid mountain in a furious ocean.
• The waves were of average height, but their power was undeniable.
• Petite waves frolicked in the moonlight, creating a magical scene.

2. Color : The Palette of the Sea

The color of a wave can reflect the environment, the weather, and the time of day. It’s a visual feast, ranging from deep blues to emerald greens, often speckled with white foam.

• The waves glowed a deep sapphire in the morning light.
• Emerald waves crashed onto the shore, a display of nature’s vibrancy.
• Dark, almost black waves foretold the approaching storm.
• The sunset turned the waves into a palette of gold and orange.
• Turquoise waves sparkled under the bright sun.
• The waves were a dull gray, mirroring the overcast sky.
• White-capped waves contrasted sharply against the deep blue sea.
• At dawn, the waves took on a soft pink hue.
• The waves were a clear, crystal blue, inviting and serene.
• In the moonlight, the waves appeared almost silver.

3. Sound : Listening to the Ocean’s Song

The sound of waves is as varied as their size and color. It can be a soothing lullaby or a fearsome roar. Describing the sound can immerse the reader in the scene, making them hear what your characters hear.

• The waves roared like an angry beast as they crashed onto the shore.
• A gentle whoosh accompanied the small waves as they kissed the beach.
• The sound of the waves was a rhythmic, calming hum.
• Each wave crashed with a thunderous boom, echoing against the rocks.
• The playful splashes of the waves created a cheerful melody.
• The waves whispered secrets as they retreated from the sand.
• A loud, intimidating crash announced the arrival of the big waves.
• The waves’ soft murmur was a lullaby that lulled me to sleep.
• With a fierce howl, the waves battered the coastline.
• The waves chuckled softly as they played around my feet.

4. Movement : Choreography of the Sea

The movement of waves is a dance orchestrated by nature. It can be slow and graceful or fast and chaotic. Describing this movement helps visualize the scene’s pace and energy.

• The waves rolled in lazily, a slow-motion display of power.
• Rapid, choppy waves raced towards the shore in a frenzied dance.
• Each wave glided smoothly towards the beach, a serene procession.
• The waves surged back and forth, a never-ending battle with the shore.
• Playful waves skipped and hopped over each other in their rush to the land.
• The wave’s graceful arc was a ballet in the ocean.
• Aggressive waves lunged at the rocks, a display of unbridled fury.
• The waves swayed gently, a peaceful rhythm in the aquatic world.
• Quick, eager waves darted towards the sand, leaving foamy trails.
• The waves tumbled over themselves, a chaotic tumble in the tempestuous sea.

5. Texture : Feeling the Surface of the Sea

The texture of a wave is a tactile experience, often overlooked but deeply evocative. It can range from smooth and glassy to rough and tumultuous, adding a sensory dimension to the description.

• The waves felt silky as they flowed over my skin.
• Rough, choppy waves battered against my legs with gritty force.
• The wave’s surface was smooth as glass, reflecting the sunlight.
• Frothy, foamy waves tickled my feet with their bubbly touch.
• The waves were uneven, a chaotic jumble of water and air.
• Each wave caressed the shore with a soft, velvety touch.
• The waves were harsh, a bristly brush against my arms.
• A smooth, rolling wave enveloped me in a gentle embrace.
• The turbulent waves felt like a sandpaper scraping against my skin.
• Velvety waves slipped through my fingers, a fleeting softness.

6. Temperature : The Warmth and Chill of the Waves

Temperature adds an emotional layer to wave descriptions. It can be the refreshing coolness of a summer wave or the biting chill of a winter sea, evoking physical reactions in the reader.

• The wave’s cool embrace was a relief from the scorching sun.
• Icy waves nipped at my toes, a brisk reminder of the season.
• The warm wave wrapped around me like a comfortable blanket.
• Chilly waves sent shivers up my spine as I waded deeper.
• The water was tepid, a lukewarm welcome to the ocean.
• A cold wave splashed over me, a sharp contrast to the humid air.
• The wave’s warmth was surprising, like a bath under the sun.
• Freezing waves crashed against me, taking my breath away.
• The waves were refreshingly cool, a perfect antidote to the heat.
• A warm current flowed through the waves, a pleasant surprise in the chilly sea.

7. Shape : Contours of the Ocean Waves

The shape of a wave is its signature. It can be a towering wall of water or a gentle, rolling hill. This visual element can dramatically change the scene’s atmosphere.

• The wave curled into a perfect tube, a surfer’s dream.
• Gentle, rolling waves formed soft undulating hills on the ocean’s surface.
• The wave peaked sharply, a jagged edge against the sky.
• Broad, flat waves spread out lazily across the bay.
• The waves formed crescent shapes, cradling the surfers.
• A towering wave stood upright, a wall of water defying gravity.
• The wave’s gentle slope was like a smooth ramp to the shore.
• Sharp, angular waves cut through the water, a geometric dance.
• The waves bunched up, forming a chaotic cluster of peaks and troughs.
• Each wave was a gentle curve, a soft arch in the sea.

8. Speed : Velocity of the Sea’s Movements

Speed in wave descriptions conveys urgency and momentum. It can range from a languid crawl to a rapid rush, reflecting the energy of the scene.

• The waves advanced slowly, a leisurely approach to the shore.
• Fast-moving waves crashed onto the beach with urgent fervor.
• The wave approached at a snail’s pace, prolonging the anticipation.
• Quick waves zipped by, barely touching the sand before retreating.
• A gradual wave inched its way to the land, a slow but steady force.
• The wave sped towards the shore, a racer in the final lap.
• The wave’s crawl was almost imperceptible, a slow-motion display.
• Swift waves surged forward, eager to reach their destination.
• The wave’s leisurely pace was calming, a gentle approach to the coast.
• Rapid waves rushed in a flurry, a blur of water and foam.

9. Force : The Power Behind Each Wave

The force of a wave reflects its strength and impact. It can be a gentle nudge or a formidable shove, affecting everything from the narrative’s tone to the characters’ reactions.

• The wave hit with a gentle force, a soft push against my body.
• A powerful wave slammed into the shore, shaking the ground beneath my feet.
• The wave’s mild force was a caress rather than a hit.
• An immense wave exerted a fierce pressure, knocking me off my feet.
• The wave’s force was subtle, barely noticeable as it brushed past.
• A strong wave pushed me effortlessly towards the beach.
• The wave’s force felt like a tender hug from the sea.
• A colossal wave unleashed its fury, a brutal display of nature’s strength.
• The wave nudged me gently, a polite invitation to play.
• The wave’s force was overwhelming, a powerful surge that engulfed everything in its path.

10. Impact : The Aftermath of a Wave’s Touch

Impact describes the effect of a wave on its surroundings. It’s not just the physical interaction but also the emotional and environmental consequences.

• The wave’s impact left a trail of foamy residue on the sand.
• A strong wave’s impact stirred up the seabed, clouding the water.
• The gentle impact of the wave left a soothing sensation on my skin.
• The wave crashed with such impact that it echoed along the coastline.
• The wave’s impact was minimal, leaving the beach almost untouched.
• A mighty wave’s impact carved a new shape into the rocky shore.
• The impact of the wave was a refreshing splash, invigorating my senses.
• The wave’s powerful impact uprooted seaweed and shells, leaving them scattered.
• The impact of the small wave was a whisper against the shore.
• The wave hit with such impact that it felt like a physical embrace.

11. Rhythm : The Pulsating Heart of the Sea

Rhythm in wave descriptions captures the pattern and tempo of their movement. It’s the heartbeat of the sea, a pattern that can be calming, erratic, or anything in between.

• The waves had a steady rhythm, like the beat of a drum.
• Irregular waves created a chaotic rhythm, unpredictable and wild.
• The rhythmic lapping of the waves was a soothing, consistent sound.
• Each wave crashed in a frenetic rhythm, a symphony of chaos.
• The waves followed a slow rhythm, a languid dance with the shore.
• The rapid rhythm of the waves was exhilarating, a fast-paced melody.
• The waves’ rhythm was erratic, changing tempo with each surge.
• A gentle, predictable rhythm marked the waves’ approach and retreat.
• The waves pounded in a fierce rhythm, relentless and powerful.
• The soothing rhythm of the waves was a lullaby, lulling me into tranquility.

50 Best Words to Describe Waves in Writing

These are some of the best words for how to describe waves in writing:

• Invigorating

50 Best Phrases to Describe Waves in Writing

Here are some of the best phrases to describe waves in your stories.

• A symphony of water and wind.
• Sea’s rhythmic dance.
• Whispering aquatic secrets.
• A ballet of blues and greens.
• The ocean’s mighty applause.
• Waves kissing the shore.
• A tapestry of aquatic motion.
• The sea’s relentless march.
• Foamy fingers reaching for the beach.
• The gentle caress of the ocean.
• A tumultuous ocean orchestra.
• Cascading liquid curtains.
• The sea’s serene lullaby.
• Roaring aquatic beasts.
• Shimmering under the sun’s kiss.
• The playful leap of water.
• Waves weaving watery wonders.
• A chorus of oceanic fury.
• The tranquil murmur of the sea.
• A cascade of sparkling diamonds.
• The sea’s rhythmic whisper.
• Waves sculpting the shoreline.
• A storm’s aquatic anger.
• The peaceful sigh of the sea.
• Dancing waves under the moonlight.
• The ocean’s furious roar.
• Gentle giants of the deep.
• The eternal ebb and flow.
• Waves carving their path.
• A frothy embrace of the shore.
• The sea’s playful tickle.
• A crescendo of crashing water.
• The ocean’s soft caress.
• A symphony of surging waves.
• The hypnotic rhythm of the sea.
• Waves painting the coast.
• The relentless pursuit of the shore.
• A ballet of surging tides.
• Whispering waves in the night.
• The sea’s gentle serenade.
• A mosaic of moving water.
• The ocean’s rhythmic heartbeat.
• The wild dance of the waves.
• The sea’s harmonious melody.
• A tapestry of tidal tales.
• The whisper of wandering waves.
• The ocean’s soothing whispers.
• A symphony of sea and sky.
• The playful song of the sea.
• Waves echoing nature’s call.

3 Full Examples of How to Describe Waves In Different Genres

Let’s look at full examples of how to describe waves in different kinds of stories.

Mystery Genre

The waves were like dark secrets, crashing against the shore under the moonless sky.

Each surge seemed to whisper a cryptic message, as if the ocean itself was hiding something sinister beneath its turbulent surface. The foamy edges of each wave glinted eerily in the faint light, painting a scene both mesmerizing and foreboding. The relentless rhythm of the sea created an ominous backdrop, perfect for the mysteries that lay waiting in the shadows of the coastal town.

Romance Genre

The waves rolled in gently, a soft symphony under the starlit sky.

They caressed the sandy beach like a lover’s tender touch, leaving behind a shimmering trail under the moon’s romantic glow. The rhythmic sound of the water was a serene lullaby, setting a backdrop for whispered confessions and stolen kisses.

In this magical moment, the waves were not just water but messengers of love, bringing hearts closer with each tender lap against the shore.

Fantasy Genre

Majestic waves soared high, crowned with ethereal light, in the enchanted sea of Eldoria.

Each wave was a living entity, glowing with an inner magic, illuminating the night with colors unseen in the mortal realm. The ocean sang an ancient melody, a song of legends and forgotten realms, beckoning adventurers to explore its mystical depths.

These were not mere waves — they were liquid sculptures of the ancient magic that flowed through the land, a dance of the sea’s ageless power.

Here is a good video that will help you learn how to describe waves in writing:

Final Thoughts: How To Describe Waves in Writing

Capturing the essence of waves in writing adds depth and vividness to your narrative.

Explore our other articles on descriptions to enhance your storytelling.

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99 Tsunami Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best tsunami topic ideas & essay examples, 🥇 most interesting tsunami topics to write about, 📌 simple & easy tsunami essay titles, ❓ tsunami research questions.

• The Causes and Consequences of the 2004 Tsunami in Sri Lanka Due to a displacement of sea water as a result of displaced debris from landslides, a series of waves that has a potential of causing a tsunami is formed.
• Damages of Tsunami to Human Beings High Cost of Fighting Tsunami The total cost of tsunami could be billions of dollars since the damages of income generating business, and the cost used to curb the situation on the ground was quite […]
• The Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004 and Its Consequences The worst effects of the great wave were observed in Indonesia, where the death toll exceeded 160,000 people, and the overall damages almost reached $4.
• 2011 Tsunami in Tohoku and Its Effects on Japan In this instance, the geological origin of the tsunami has to be discussed due to the fact that it plays a significant role in predicting the presence of a tsunami in the future.
• The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011 Documentary The documentary reflects the events leading to the natural disasters and their aftermath, including an investigation into the reasons for the failure of the precautionary measures in place during the 2011 earthquake in Japan.
• Tsunami: Definition and Causes Tsunamis have gained worldwide notoriety following the two devastating tsunamis that have occurred in the course of the last ten years. Submarine earthquakes can generate dangerous tsunamis and that the intensity of this tsunami is […]
• Tsunami Disasters in Okushiri Island In addition, fire outbreaks also contributed to the devastating effects of the tsunami. In addition, the question of educating and passing information about dangers of tsunami contributed to massive loss of lives.
• Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis In addition, the paper will outline some of the similarities and differences between tsunamis and floods. Similarities between tsunamis and floods: Both tsunamis and floods are natural disasters that cause destruction of properties and human […]
• Natural Disasters: Tsunami, Hurricanes and Earthquake The response time upon the prediction of a tsunami is minimal owing to the rapid fall and rise of the sea level.
• The Sumatra Earthquake of 26 December 2004: Indonesia Tsunami As such, the earthquake resulted in the development of a large tsunami off the Sumatran Coast that led to destruction of large cities in Indonesia.
• Causes and Effect of the Tsunami in Indonesia Scientifically tsunami is caused by the water which is impelled afar the interior of the underwater commotion, the change in this water levels move at the speed of about four hundred miles per sixty minutes […]
• Tsunami’s Reasons and Effects Therefore, it is essential to know how to anticipate the place and time of the occurrence of a tsunami and to determine which factors are the main in assessing the potential wave’s power and the […]
• Effect of the 2004 Tsunami on Indonesia The areas prone to tsunamis on the Indonesian coast are: The west coast of Sumatra, the south coast of Java, the north and south coasts of West Nusa, Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara provinces, the […]
• South California Tsunami and Disaster Response This paper provides the report’s estimate figures in terms of human casualties and the structures affected by the wave. The Figure 1 represents the graphical representation of the data collected.
• Tsunamis: Case Studies Massive movement of seabed caused the tsunami during the earthquake movement. The Burma plates slipped around the earthquake’s epicenter.
• Tsunami Warning Systems In such a way, it is possible to conclude that the poor functioning of awareness systems in the past preconditioned the reconsideration of the approach to monitoring tsunamis and warning people about them.
• Tsunami and the Health Department The overstretching of health facilities poses a great challenge; how can the health department deal with tsunami cases to ensure that the community is disease-free and safe?
• Economic Tsunami and Current Economic Strategies The current economic situation in the world is the result of a great number of different factors including the sphere of finance.
• Tsunami Handling at a Nuclear Power Plant The information presented in this research paper has been analyzed and proved to be the actual content obtained by various parties that participate in the study of tsunamis.
• Tsunami Funding: On Assistance to the Victims of the December 2004 Tsunami In the US, through the help of the United Nations Organization in conjunction with the Red Cross, sited and established centers where people in the community would take their donations.
• Tsunami: Crisis Management The saving of lives during a disaster and emergency incident will depend on the proper coordination of the rescue team, delivery of the right skills to the scene which can only be achieved through the […]
• The Recommendations Made in the Field of Tsunami Emergency Managements Additionally, the tsunami that hit the coastal area of the Indian Ocean in 2004 was one of the events that led to reconsiderations of the preparedness levels in dealing with catastrophes of such scales.
• Tsunami Warning Management System Tsunami emergency management system detects and predicts tsunami in addition to warning individuals and government in good time before the onset of the disaster.
• Physical Aspect of Tsunami According to Nelson, wave length is the distance between similar points of the wave; the concepts of tsunami wave height and amplitude are interconnected, as the height is the distance between tsunami’s trough and peak, […]
• Tsunami Geological Origin Firstly, the source of the volcanic eruption has to be understood, as this natural phenomenon is one of the primary causes of a tsunami.
• Marketing after a Crisis: Recovering From the Tsunami in Thailand The researchers aim was to assess the damages caused by the tsunami, to evaluate and adjust the impact and strategize on how to combat the crisis in the future.
• What Is a Tsunami and What Causes Them? We shall dwell on the Shifts in the Tectonic plates as the reasoning behind the Tsunamis, but we have to understand the concept involved in the movement of the plate tectonics then how the earthquake […]
• The Impacts of Japan’s Earthquake, Tsunami on the World Economy The future prospects in regard to the tsunami and the world economy will be presented and application of the lessons learnt during the catastrophe in future” tsunami occurrence” management.
• Effect on People Who Have Been Through Tsunami The community and government were left with a major challenge of how to cope with the physical and psychological stress that was quite evident.
• Exceedance Probability for Various Magnitudes of Tsunami
• A Short History of Tsunami Research and Countermeasures in Japan
• New Computational Methods in Tsunami Science
• Adult Mortality Five Years After a Natural Disaster: Evidence From the Indian Ocean Tsunami
• Affect, Risk Perception and Future Optimism After the Tsunami Disaster
• Probabilistic Analysis of Tsunami Hazards
• Tsunami Risk Assessment in Indonesia
• Real-Time Tsunami Forecasting: Challenges and Solutions
• Battening Down the Hatches: How Should the Maritime Industries Weather the Financial Tsunami
• A Simple Model for Calculating Tsunami Flow Speed From Tsunami Deposits
• Implementation and Testing of the Method of Splitting Tsunami Model
• The Storegga Slides: Evidence From Eastern Scotland for a Possible Tsunami
• Coastal Vegetation Structures and Their Functions in Tsunami Protection: Experience of the Recent Indian Ocean Tsunami
• Tsunami Fragility: A New Measure to Identify Tsunami Damage
• Geological Indicators of Large Tsunami in Australia
• Calamity, Aid and Indirect Reciprocity: The Long Run Impact of Tsunami on Altruism
• Cash and In-Kind Food Aid Transfers: Tsunami Emergency Aid in Banda Aceh
• Confronting the “Second Wave of the Tsunami”: Stabilizing Communities in the Wake of Foreclosures
• A Numerical Model for the Transport of a Boulder by Tsunami
• Experimental Investigation of Tsunami Impact on Free Standing Structures
• Economic and Business Development in China After the Tsunami
• How Effective Were Mangroves as a Defence Against the Recent Tsunami?
• Estimating Probable Maximum Loss From a Cascadia Tsunami
• Faster Than Real Time Tsunami Warning With Associated Hazard Uncertainties
• Tsunami Science Before and Beyond Boxing Day 2004
• Sediment Effect on Tsunami Generation of the 1896 Sanriku Tsunami Earthquake
• Tsunami Generation by Horizontal Displacement of Ocean Bottom
• Joint Evaluation of the International Response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami
• The Effectiveness and Limit of Tsunami Control Forests
• Distinguishing Tsunami and Storm Deposits: An Example From Martinhal, SW Portugal
• Developing Effective Vegetation Bioshield for Tsunami Protection
• Indian Ocean Tsunami: Disaster, Generosity and Recovery
• Three-Dimensional Splay Fault Geometry and Implications for Tsunami Generation
• Assessing Tsunami Vulnerability, an Example From Herakleio, Crete
• Knowledge-Building Approach for Tsunami Impact Analysis Aided by Citizen Science
• Mental Health Problems Among Adults in Tsunami-Affected Areas in Southern Thailand
• Legitimacy, Accountability and Impression Management in NGOs: The Indian Ocean Tsunami
• Measuring Tsunami Preparedness in Coastal Washington, United States
• Standards, Criteria, and Procedures for NOAA Evaluation of Tsunami Numerical Models
• The Use of Scenarios to Evaluate the Tsunami Impact in Southern Italy
• Could a Large Tsunami Happen in the United States?
• What Does a Tsunami Look Like When It Reaches the Coast?
• Is It Rare for a Tsunami to Happen?
• What Happens to Sharks During a Tsunami?
• Where Is the Safest Place During a Tsunami?
• What’s the Worst Tsunami Ever?
• What Happens to the Beach Before a Tsunami?
• Why Does Water Go Out Before a Tsunami?
• Can You Survive a Tsunami With a Life Jacket?
• Where Do Tsunami Most Hit?
• How Are Tsunamis Different From Normal Ocean Waves?
• What Are the Designated Service Areas of the Tsunami Warning Centers?
• How Quickly Are Tsunami Messages Issued?
• What Is the Difference Between a Local and a Distant Tsunami?
• What Types of Earthquakes Generate Tsunamis?
• Can Near Earth Objects Generate Tsunamis?
• What Are the Causes of Tsunamis?
• How Can Tsunami Be Controlled?
• What Keeps a Tsunami Going?
• Which Country Has the Most Tsunamis?
• What Are Some of the Most Damaging Tsunamis to Affect the United States?
• What Is the Tsunami Hazard Level for Anchorage and the Upper Cook Inlet in Alaska?
• What Are Ways Tsunami Start?
• How Many Tsunami Happen a Year?
• Can a Boat at Sea Survive a Tsunami?
• What Happens to a Whale in a Tsunami?
• How Much Warning Is There Before a Tsunami?
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How to Describe an Earthquake in a Story

By Brittany Kuhn

Does the central plot in your novel revolve around an earthquake that has happened? In this post, you’ll learn about how to describe an earthquake in a story. We’ve included 10 words below to explain further.

1. Catastrophe

• Intense, devastating change to the environment.
• Moment of complete failure or tragedy.

“California’s 1906 earthquake is still one of greatest catastrophes ever recorded.”

“I could not believe how catastrophic the earthquake was to my neighborhood: not a single house went untouched.”

How it Adds Description

When you want to describe your earthquake as particularly devasting, use catastrophe to show its obliterating impact on the buildings or natural environment. Catastrophic can also help to describe characters’ feelings about how the earthquake has affected them, particularly if their belongings have been destroyed or families hurt.

2. Slow burn

Gradual build up of power or intensity until a final explosion or outburst.

“Luckily, that 7.8 earthquake last week was a slow burner ; it built up so gradually that everybody had a chance to evacuate before it really hit.”

“Some of the worst earthquakes I’ve ever experienced were slow burns over a period of a few hours.”

By focusing on more than just the effects of an earthquake, describing one as a slow burn allows you to show the way people might prepare and set the atmosphere for the actual event. A slow burn earthquake also gives you a chance to build tension towards how powerful the earthquake may finally be.

3. Glass shattering

So loud or shaking so extremely hard that it does (or could) literally shatter glass into small pieces.

“Yesterday’s glass shattering earthquake was measured as a 6.3 on the Richter scale.”

“My first memory was hiding in our kitchen during a glass shattering earthquake.”

If an earthquake is powerful enough, it could cause windows, mirrors, or glass dishes inside of a house to crack and break from the violent movements. Using glass shattering also highlights what the characters are hearing during the earthquake and how intense the whole experience might be for them.

4. Ground splitting

A separation , crack, or fissure in the earth or rocks.

“We were completely unprepared for the ground splitting earthquake.”

“The ground splitting earthquake was so powerful that it caused a 6-foot fissure to open in the street.”

For an earthquake to actually cause a crack in the ground (like in the movies), the plates would have had to move quite dramatically, resulting in a pretty intense earthquake. Describing the earthquake as ground splitting immediately shows the reader that this event is pretty significant and should be followed closely.

5. Reverberating

Echoing , rippling, or bouncing back.

“The tremors of the reverberating earthquake could be felt two states over.”

“Her favorite part of studying earthquakes was tracking how far their effects reverberated outward.”

Want to focus on the far-reaching effects of an earthquake? You can use reverberating to highlight the way the vibrations in the earth slowly ripple out from the epicenter. Or, if you want to focus on the way things sound, you could use reverberating to highlight how everything goes silent in ripples then explodes back into sound in waves outward from the epicenter.

6. Underwater

Happening in or beneath the water’s surface .

“What was most disturbing about the underwater earthquake was that we never heard it coming.”

“The first I knew of an earthquake underwater was the large plume of water that shot straight up like a geyser, right outside my portside window.”

If you want to cause a tsunami or if your story’s events take place in the sea, put your earthquake underwater . Underwater earthquakes are often more powerful than land-based ones. Putting the earthquake in the sea also allows for you to include a reason for plot-relevant catastrophic effects like tidal waves or damage to boats and marine life.

7. Negligible

Of such little importance as to have little to no effect.

“The earthquake was so negligible that it barely rattled the front door.”

“The negligible earthquake barely registered on the Richter scale.”

Not all earthquakes are destructive. Sometimes you might want an earthquake as a plot device to bring two characters together or cause some minor damage to an object that needs replacing. By describing the earthquake as negligible , you show that the earthquake was barely noticeable and only as important as your plot needs it to be.

8. Rumbling

• A strong sound that slowly builds in intensity.
• A low, echoing sound travelling from a far distance.

“The earthquake’s rumbling started low at first and built to a body-rocking tremor by the time it finally hit.”

“We could hear the rumbling earthquake from deep within the earth long before we felt it.”

Sometimes, in order to create suspense, you need to describe how something sounds before you can describe how it feels. Using rumbling to describe the sound of the earthquake approaching builds tension as the characters (and readers) are preparing for what could be a pretty hefty earthquake as the rumbling gets closer.

9. Expansive

Wide-reaching, vast , large.

“Towns 350 miles from the epicenter of the expansive earthquake could feel the tremors.”

“We could not believe how expansive the earthquake’s aftershocks reached.”

If you want to show the size of the earthquake, use expansive to describe it as covering a large surface area and affecting a great number of people and buildings. In many cases, the stronger the earthquake, the larger it is, so the word expansive gives your reader a sense of just how wide-reaching the effects are.

10. Localized

Be focused on a smaller, more confined point .

“Yesterday’s earthquake seemed to be more localized than we first thought; only those in the nearest three towns were effected.”

“Sometimes I wonder what is worse: a powerful, localized earthquake that takes down all the buildings in one town or a weaker, more expansive one that just does a bit of surface damage but effects 20x as many people.”

Contrary to expansive , you could also describe your earthquake as localized if you want to emphasize how little it effected. Localized suggests that the earthquake only really affected the town or core area your characters or the plot is based in, rather than having any far-reaching or more worldly relevance.

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108 Tsunami Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Tsunamis are natural disasters that can have devastating impacts on coastal communities. They are often caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides, and can result in massive waves that can cause widespread destruction and loss of life.

If you are studying tsunamis or writing an essay on the topic, it can be helpful to have a list of potential essay topics to choose from. Here are 108 tsunami essay topic ideas and examples to help inspire your writing:

• The causes of tsunamis
• The effects of tsunamis on coastal communities
• Tsunami warning systems and their effectiveness
• The history of tsunamis and notable events
• How tsunamis are formed
• The role of climate change in increasing the frequency and intensity of tsunamis
• The psychological impact of tsunamis on survivors
• Tsunami preparedness and response strategies
• The economic impact of tsunamis on local economies
• How tsunamis are different from other natural disasters
• The impact of tsunamis on marine ecosystems
• Tsunamis in popular culture and media
• The role of technology in monitoring and predicting tsunamis
• The connection between tsunamis and earthquakes
• Tsunamis and their impact on tourism
• The role of international cooperation in responding to tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on infrastructure
• The role of education in preparing communities for tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on global climate patterns
• The cultural significance of tsunamis in different societies
• The role of NGOs and aid organizations in providing relief after a tsunami
• Tsunamis and their impact on food security
• The impact of tsunamis on water quality and sanitation
• Tsunamis and their impact on vulnerable populations
• The role of social media in spreading information during a tsunami
• The impact of tsunamis on mental health
• Tsunamis and their impact on wildlife
• The role of government policies in mitigating the impact of tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on renewable energy sources
• The connection between tsunamis and tsunamigenic volcanoes
• The impact of tsunamis on agriculture and food production
• Tsunamis and their impact on transportation systems
• The impact of tsunamis on coastal erosion
• Tsunamis and their impact on indigenous communities
• The connection between tsunamis and climate change adaptation
• The impact of tsunamis on fisheries and aquaculture
• Tsunamis and their impact on water resource management
• The role of early warning systems in reducing the impact of tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on cultural heritage sites
• The connection between tsunamis and tectonic plate movements
• The impact of tsunamis on the tourism industry
• Tsunamis and their impact on coastal biodiversity
• The role of education in raising awareness about tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on gender equality
• The connection between tsunamis and subduction zones
• The impact of tsunamis on urban planning and development
• Tsunamis and their impact on water scarcity
• The role of community-based organizations in responding to tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on waste management
• The connection between tsunamis and seismic activity
• The impact of tsunamis on public health
• Tsunamis and their impact on energy infrastructure
• The role of international aid in responding to tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on social cohesion
• The connection between tsunamis and tsunamigenic fault lines
• The impact of tsunamis on air quality
• Tsunamis and their impact on disaster risk reduction efforts
• The role of insurance in mitigating the impact of tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on emergency response systems
• The connection between tsunamis and underwater landslides
• The impact of tsunamis on renewable energy infrastructure
• Tsunamis and their impact on water pollution
• The role of community resilience in responding to tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on climate change adaptation strategies
• The connection between tsunamis and coastal erosion
• The impact of tsunamis on disaster preparedness efforts
• Tsunamis and their impact on coastal development
• The role of indigenous knowledge in responding to tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on informal settlements
• The connection between tsunamis and sea level rise
• The impact of tsunamis on healthcare systems
• Tsunamis and their impact on food systems
• The role of community engagement in responding to tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on climate change adaptation policies
• The connection between tsunamis and deforestation
• The impact of tsunamis on education systems
• Tsunamis and their impact on biodiversity conservation efforts
• The role of technology in improving early warning systems for tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on disaster recovery efforts
• The connection between tsunamis and coastal habitat destruction
• The impact of tsunamis on water resource availability
• Tsunamis and their impact on social inequality
• The role of community-based adaptation in responding to tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on climate change mitigation efforts
• The connection between tsunamis and ocean acidification
• The impact of tsunamis on ecosystem services
• Tsunamis and their impact on climate change resilience
• The role of gender mainstreaming in responding to tsunamis
• Tsunamis and their impact on renewable energy access
• The connection between tsunamis and coastal land loss
• The impact of tsunamis on water scarcity
• Tsunamis and their impact on global food security

These are just a few examples of the many possible essay topics related to tsunamis. Whether you are writing a research paper, a reflective essay, or a creative piece, there are plenty of angles from which to explore this important and impactful natural phenomenon. Happy writing!

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• Writing About
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May 09, 2016

Writing about: a tsunami.

When I set out to write this post, a million things flooded my brain, and then my mind went blank. I’ve come to the conclusion that this post is the most difficult one I’ve EVER had to write in the three years I’ve done this Writing About feature on my blog. Because of that, I’m abandoning my normal format of 5-10 pointers with detailed descriptions for each. Instead, I’ve constructed a list of things to remember.

Keep in mind this is for a devastating tsunami:

-        Flocks of birds fly away from the shore (away from the wave).

-        A rumbling sound in the air and all around.

-        A blast of wind and mist.

-        The wave approaches like a massive (40-50 foot) wave on the shore but with impeccable speed and surprising force.

-        People caught in the wave are twisted round and round.

-        Objects hit them in the water.

-        They struggle to reach the surface and keep their head above the water.

-        It’s almost impossible to hold their breath.

-        If they survive the initial impact and don’t drown, many try to grab onto something. Anything.

-        The water rushes them inland (most can travel for one mile).

-        The wave is so strong that it can lift vehicles, toss boats, tear apart houses, and even uproot trees.

-        There’s usually more than one wave in a tsunami and the first isn’t even the biggest.

-        After sometime, the movement slows, stops, and then reverses. This is when people and debris get carried out to sea.

-        Debris will be everywhere. The ground will be muddy and flooded in some places.

-        Survivors will have injuries (bruises, cuts, deep gashes, broken bones, etc.)

-        Some survivors are either naked or missing articles of clothing because the water ripped it off their bodies.

-        Getting to safety and higher ground is the #1 goal along with finding loved ones they may never see again.

-        When aid arrives, helicopters will be flying over, people will be searching for survivors and the dead, and supplies will be coming in, such as food, water, and blankets.

-        Most people will go to shelters and the hospital for treatment and to search for loved ones.

-        It takes many years for places hit by a massive tsunami to get back to normal, and even then it will never be like it once was. Same can be said for the survivors.

I recommend watching The Impossible about the tsunami that hit Thailand in 2004 and reading true accounts from tsunami survivors. But also to do a lot of research about tsunamis and the setting of your story to understand what would happen if a tsunami struck that specific location.

QUESTION: Have you see the movie THE IMPOSSIBLE? What do you think about the disaster for Book 3 being a tsunami?

72 comments:

Congrats on sending the third book to your publisher! That's exciting! I didn't really know all that much about tsunamis. They sound very scary.

Thank you! Tsunamis are scary. They're the scariest disaster I've written about so far.

This was wonderful to read, I thankful we don't get Tsunami's here, what havoc it causes. I wish you all the best with the publisher. Enjoy your week. Yvonne.

I'm thankful too, but you never know where one could be triggered. Thank you! :)

Fascinated by tsunamis and terrified by them. Never seen Impossible but was amazed by experiences of survivors of Japanese tsunami after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. Congratulations on next great step with Book 3.

Fascinated and terrified. Yup, that's the perfect way to describe it for me too. The survivors stories are amazing. What they went through inspired my story. Thank you!

When we moved to the coast when I was nine, I had a lot of tsunami nightmares... There is an Indonesian author (I have my books of him in my office) that has written about tsunamis. It would be a good introduction. Also, in the 2004 disaster, there was a train caught in the wave in Sri Lanka and everyone drown as it was rolled around. I think the same thing happened in the Japanese disaster of 2010. Remember, before the waves (it isn't one wave) hits, the water is sucked out

I could understand a child having nightmares of tsunamis. I used to have a lot of fires and tornadoes because of living in Florida. I see do.

You picked an interesting disaster and one that had been in the news. With all the seismic activity lately, we might get more disasters.

Yes. It was very strange that the day Seismic Crimes came out the earthquake happened in Ecuador. It was a 7.8 quake and in my book it's a 7.4. :\

Hi Chrys ... I sincerely hope I don't have to be in a Tsunami - it must have been terrifying for everyone ... not a good experience ... Hilary

I don't think I'd be able to survive one, especially since I can't really swim.

How cool with your third in the series; hope the publisher likes it! I just hope I never end up in a tsunami. We would have tsunami warnings along some beaches in San Diego area after earthquakes; not much ever came out of them though, of which I'm grateful. betty

I hope so too! I feel this is the best story yet for my series. I've heard about tsunami warnings on the coast and the waves are pretty small. I hope they stay that way!

Congrats on the sendoff. I am excited to see what you do with the tsunami and enjoyed the post. I loved Hurricane Crimes and am eager to follow the series to the end. :-) sherry @ fundinmental

Thank you! It'll be about 3 months before I hear back. I'll have to keep busy in the meantime. Thank you, Sherry! :D

That huge wave looks horrifying. Congrats on Seismic Crimes, Chrys. Great post. Thank you!

Thank you, Nicola!

Tsunami sounds like an interesting disaster to have in a story. Good luck with it. My fingers are crossed your publisher likes it.

I hope my publisher likes it too. I feel strongly that this is the best one so far.

Just reading your description of a Tsunami scares me. It strikes fear in my heart. The images are frightening! That said, I think it makes a great backdrop for a disaster crime story. I would be overwhelmed to attempt writing about the event itself. I saw The Impossible and it was hard to watch! It was very well done and the special effects were amazing. Apparently the actors spent several hours in tanks for underwater scenes. It must have been a trying movie to film for them.

I actually found it so easy to write about. It was easier than the earthquake and the disaster I'm currently writing for Book 4. The Impossible was incredibly done. Shocking and scary and amazing.

Never seen that movie. But after reading those I hope I never ever get caught in a tsunami

I hope I never do either.

Excellent points for something that is from nature and so devastating. I can't hold my breath for 30 seconds never mind 3 minutes like some survivors did. I would have drowned for sure. Of course, I have seen The Impossible and actually own the DVD. It is a riveting film that is based on a true story except the family was Spanish.

I would drown too. I can barely swim as it is. I want to own The Impossible on DVD. It's a very good movie.

Book three! Very awesome. There are so many videos and images from the one that hit Japan a few years ago as well. Some were really chilling.

I never saw the real footage. Well, other than what might have been shared on the news.

Awesome title! I haven't seen that particular film, but I've watched shows about tsunamis on PBS and the science channel. So scary.

Thanks! It is scary.

Congrats on the latest manuscript in the series! 😄 I've never seen the movie The Impossible but have seen San Andreas and 2012 which features tsunami scenes. Even though it's special effects, it still takes my breath away to see that giant wall of water moving towards you with every intent to crush, rip and drown everything in its path.

Thank you, Lidy! :D I haven't seen San Andreas, but I want to. It is amazing how real that make it look. I always get scared watching those big waves. Like on Deep Impact. Oh, chills.

What a great list of specifics! I can almost read those scenes right now.

Awesome. :)

Congratulations on your new book! I hope I never personally experience a tsunami, or anything similar like a flood or monsoon. The worst disasters we have in Upstate NY are blizzards, with the occasional experience of being on the mild receiving end of a hurricane or earthquake.

Thank you, Carrie-Anne! I hope I never experience one in real life, too. It was enough to write about it.

The photos make me glad I live in Arizona! Tsunamis make our monsoons looks like April showers;-) If your book is as good (and I'm sure it is) as your outline, you have another winner! Way to go:-)

Haha. I think you're safe in Arizona. I truly feel that it's the best one of the series.

Great advice and tips Chrys. Thanks for sharing.

You're welcome! :)

Wow! Your Tsunami descriptions had me tensing and breathing harder. Good job!

Thank you! Now just imagine reading my scenes. ;)

Great! Visited from @CazsBooks Twitter http://cazgreenham.blogspot.com

Thanks for visiting, Caz.

It's scary enough watching a tsunamis on a video or in a movie. I can't even imagine how horrifying it would be to be stuck in the middle on one. Loved all your descriptions. You've certainly done your research.

It was pretty scary just putting my mind there to write about what happens to my characters.

I can't even imagine the devastation it would cause to actually be there during a Tsunami.

It is pretty unimaginable.

Very scary. We had a tsunami warning once, and the kiddos at school freaked out. I reminded them that we were several miles inland and unlikely to be affected.

I can imagine how scared the kids were. I remember having tornado warnings in school.

A tsunami is such a devastating disaster, so many lives are lost. I hope everything gets approved for your next book!

It really is devastating. The aftermath in my book is astonishing, because it's like that in real life.

I love the idea of using a tsunami as the disaster. It's crazy how much research has to go in to every detail when writing a book.

So much research, especially for something like this.

This is a great idea. I haven't seen The Impossible, but now I really want to. I also remember hearing/reading that the water recedes a lot before the tsunami hits. These things are terrifying.

The Impossible is an amazing movie. Shocking and scary, but amazing. Yes, the water does rush out to meet the approaching wave. I don't like imagining what would happen to the people in the water at the time, or on the beach.

Your level of research is great. It's hard to imagine many things more terrifying than a tsunami. Congrats on the manuscript!

I truly can't imagine a more devastating natural disaster. Thanks, Nick!

Congrats on getting Tsunami Crimes to your publisher! Those pictures look horrifying. I can't even imagine being in the middle of such a natural disaster (knock on wood).

Thank you, Qaunie! :D It was hard to imagine it for my book.

Congrats on the new book. I think tsunami's are just crazy scary. I'm so glad I don't live near the water anymore.

It's not out yet. I still have to wait for my publisher to say they want it. *fingers crossed*

Congrats! A tsunami would be terrifying. Where do you go?

You really can't do anything to escape them. If there's a warning system, it might give you enough time to get to higher ground, further inland.

Congrats on the new book. Tsunamis scare me.

Tsunamis scare me too.

Yes I can finally comment! Yesterday I kept getting a 502 error. Anyway, congrats Chrys and I'm glad I don't live near the ocean. Still I live on an island so...

502 error? Yikes! I'm glad it's gone now. lol I live in Florida. I'm not close to the coast, but it's still scary thinking about.

I've never been through any disasters but my town was hit by a tornado. I heard the howling wind and the torrential rains but I was so tired that I put the covers over my head and went to sleep. The next morning my balcony looked like someone had thrown all my stuff around, pots were broken with flowers strewn all over. I went out to the parking lot to find tree limbs all over. Three blocks down the street it was total devastation. I was so fortunate as was my town that no lives were lost.

A tornado is frightening. I think that is one disaster I won't include in my series. Thank you for telling me about your experience, Linda! I got chills.

Cool! A third book. I love the theme for your third book, mostly because I think a Tsunami would be one of the worst ways to die or experience. That feeling of devastation along with feeling like losing someone at the same time can be Earth shattering. I'm sure this will be a great read.

I also believe the tsunami is the worst disaster. There is so much destruction and so many deaths because of it in Tsunami Crimes.

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Essay on Tsunami for Students and Children

500+ words essay on tsunami.

Tsunami is a phenomenon where a series of strong waves that are responsible for the surge in water sometimes reach the heights in many meters. This is a natural disaster that is caused due to the volcano eruption in the ocean beds. Also, a phenomenon like landslides and earthquakes contributes to reasons for a tsunami. Like other natural disasters, the impact of the tsunami is also huge. It has been seen throughout history how disastrous the tsunami is. The essay on tsunami talks about various factors that contribute to the tsunami and the damage it causes to mankind. 

Essay on Tsunami

The disaster that is caused due to waves generated in the ocean because of the earthquake and whose main point is under the water is known as ‘Tsunami’. Also, the term tsunami is associated with tidal waves. Thus, a tsunami is also called as the series of ocean waves that have a very long wavelength. Because of the tsunami, there are strong waves of water is formed and this moves landwards. So, this causes inland movement of water which is very high and lasts for a long time. Thus, the impact of these waves is also very high. 

Greeks were the first people on Earth to claim the effects of the tsunami. They claim that tsunami is just like land earthquakes. Also, the only difference between tsunami and earthquake is that tsunami is caused in oceans. Thus, the scale and ferocity of the tsunami are almost impossible to control. 

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

The History of Tsunami

The highest ever recorded tsunami was on 9th July 1958 in the record books. It took place in a bay which was located in the ligula bay along the coasts of Alaska. After the quake, a massive mass of rock fell into the bay waters from the cliff nearby. Thus, this created an impact and produced a wave that reached a height of 524 meters. Also, this is regarded as one of the highest recorded tsunami waves ever. 

The destructive waves responsible for the occurrence of tsunami is also produced in waters of bays or lakes. As this water approached the coast, it grows larger. However, the size of this wave is very low in deep-sea areas. Tsunami waves that are generated in the lakes or bays do not travel for a long distance. Thus, they are not as destructive as the ones produced in the ocean waters. There are various directions in which tsunami can travel from the main point. 

One similar devastating tsunami was experienced in India in 2004. However, the origin of this tsunami was located near Indonesia. Because of the tsunami, it was expected that a total of 2 lakh people lost their lives. The waves traveled extensively thousands of kilometers in countries like Thailand, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. 

Tsunamis occur mainly in the Pacific Ocean. There are very chances that they take place in the area where there are larger bodies. Coastlines and open bays next to very deep waters may help tsunami further into a step-like wave. 

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Tsunami creative writing with prompt

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

18 April 2018

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A step by step guide / plan for creative writing task to help students write using a prompt. This will help with the GCSE section B of Language Paper 1 task or for the independent school creative exam revision.

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Creative Writing-Tsunami

In this creative writing worksheet, students use words in a word box to work with a group and write a short story about a tsunami.

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On March 11 th  a large Tsunami hit the Northeastern Japan, there was a series of great tsunami waves that devastated many coastal areas of the country. The number of the confirmed deaths is 15,891 and more than 2,500 people are still reported missing.

The wave of horror still floods back into me with every breath I take. My head, pounding to the rhythm of trees demolishing into the ground. Souls of hope swallowed up into a sea of suffering. It broke me.   

T here I slept in the scorching summer of the north pacific coast of Japan. I woke up to the luminous rays of light, piercing through the blinds onto my sleeping body. The echoes of the tunes of twittering birds weaned into a morning melody, it was a lullaby of perfection. I eagerly flung on any item of clothing closest to my restless feet; a prissy buttoned down shirt, paired with some sandy stained shorts.   

My feet impatiently tore me away to the Saturday streets of the town of Kapu, vibrations of scattering feet ascended through my spine.  The stench of sweat lodged into my nose and the sound of buzzing engines impeded my eardrums.

An army of crying birds scattered about above my head. Rapidly, a destructive sound of terror boomed from the distance. The wild beats of my anxious heart had deafened my head as I witnessed a canopy of trees collapse from afar. At first, one by one each curious head turned in awe to witness the demolition of the ground around us. The silence only lasted a few seconds until a flood of reality had hit; chaos filled the air.

A colossal crash emerged North of the towns local fishing market. Unconfined, the wild creature of fire refused to be tamed; it grew more and more wild by each second. Blazing smoke had infectiously surfaced and diseased the flawless air.

My shocked eyes could barely catch the thriving wave in battle. Carnivorous for destruction, I witnessed as the predator devoured each scrap in its path, the beast become more urged to crave more sorrow.

Screams of anxious, desperate, frantic voices obliterated my eardrums. My feet tore me through the hysterical crowd; weeps of deserted children clouded my head. My hands instantly clung onto a steel pole as I heard the wave of destruction emerge and swallow the surrounding shrieks.

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As a bloated tick

Psychosis a tsunami

Get irritable

Inflate on everything

Giddy on disappointment

A sparkler mind

Burn my fingers

Collide with strangers like bumper cars

Everyday is Saturday

If I make it

Nights collide as stars

In hotels make yurts

Nomadic consumption

How many nights awake?

Picking moths off porch lights

Kettle under pressure

Get poured with strangers

I’m building bunkers

From life’s mortars

Life is a tripwire

Snap and fall

I’ll lose all my bark

With sandpaper hands after me

I’m glass formed the sand

As particles I fell through hands

Until I got heated by stress and friction

Fell as brown shards

Infinitely broken

Relive everyday

I snap and go broken

Fall as asbestos

Become cotton candy fibrosis

Waiting to get eaten.

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23 Tsunami Craft And Activity Ideas: Includes Lesson Plans And Resources

February 23, 2024 //  by  Seda Unlucay

Tsunamis are large and powerful ocean waves that can cause major damage to coastal areas. They can be caused by a variety of events; most commonly earthquakes, and are most common in the Pacific Ocean. While it’s important to learn about the dangers of tsunamis and how to stay safe in the event of one, it’s also possible to explore this natural phenomenon through crafts and activities. From creating origami wave sculptures to designing tsunami-proof homes, these 23 activities are sure to keep kids entertained for hours. 

1. Tsunami Teaching Resource

In this hands-on activity, students use poster board, markers, and crayons to illustrate the five steps of how a tsunami is formed and write short explanations next to each picture. They also draw a large wave and title for display. 

Learn More: Crayola

2. Tsunami Model in a Bottle 

Fill a 2-liter plastic soda bottle with water and small gravel, leaving some space at the top. Next, use an empty 16 oz water bottle to create a wave in the soda bottle by squeezing it and releasing it. This experiment is a great visual introduction to discuss with students how this wave represents a tsunami and the impact it can have on shorelines. 

Learn More: Shake Out

3. Tsunami Powerpoint

In this engaging and visually appealing presentation, children will learn all about tsunamis – what they are, how they form, and their devastating effects. Accompanying worksheets provide an opportunity for them to apply their knowledge and reinforce learning. 

Learn More: The Ginger Teacher

4. Tsunami Word Search

This fun word search can help them learn about tsunamis and their causes. It can also improve their vocabulary and spelling skills while promoting cognitive development and concentration. Additionally, it can foster an interest in the natural sciences. 

Learn More: Pinterest

5. Basic Tsunami Science Video

This colorfully animated BrainPOP video features Tim and his robot sidekick Moby, who explain the mechanics of tsunamis, how they differ from tidal waves, and how they can travel vast distances without creating a single ripple.  

Learn More: Brain Pop

6. Origami Tsunami Craft Instructions

Making a tsunami origami model can help kids learn about natural disasters while developing their artistic skills. It can also improve their concentration, dexterity, and problem-solving skills as they use their creativity to model a real-life tsunami. 

Learn More: Jeremy Shafer Origami

7. Tsunami Scenario Writing Prompts

These writing prompts encourage students to demonstrate their understanding of tsunamis and reflect on how they can help in the aftermath of such a natural disaster. They can be customized to suit students’ abilities and interests while serving as a tool to improve writing skills and critical thinking.

Learn More: ABC Teach

8. Tsunami Crossword

A crossword is a fun and engaging way to develop vocabulary and spelling skills while strengthening their knowledge of natural disasters and promoting critical thinking skills. Why not use it to test understanding at the end of a natural disaster unit? 

Learn More: Word Mint

9. Video on Destructive Tsunamis

This educational and informative video teaches kids about the science behind tsunamis, their impact on communities, and how to prepare for them. It features provoking discussion questions and a quiz to test student understanding. 

Learn More: TED

10. Learn About a Real Catastrophic Tsunami Event

“I Survived the Japanese Tsunami” is a book that recounts the harrowing true story of a young boy named Ben, who must use his wits and bravery to survive the devastating tsunami that struck Japan in 2011. This supplemental resource features reading comprehension questions to further student understanding of this tragic event. 

Learn More: Judy Newman at Scholastic

11. Make a Tsunami Model With Craft Supplies

This STEM Challenge allows students to design and construct their very own tsunami-resistant houses! Students design, build and test three sets of village houses using only the materials provided. This a great opportunity for students to use critical thinking, engineering, and problem-solving skills.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

12. Study How Earthquakes and Ocean Waves Contribute to Tsunamis

This worksheet explains how tsunamis are formed with pictures and simple language for kids to understand. It covers the causes of tsunamis including earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea, how they travel across the water in huge waves, and the devastating effects they can have. 

Learn More: Education

13. Study One of the Deadliest Tsunamis in History 

This writing resource helps students identify the author’s perspective on the 2004 tsunami, and develop their own opinions on the event. The passage enables learners to practice their analytical skills and comprehend different viewpoints. It’s an excellent tool for enhancing students’ critical thinking and reading comprehension abilities. 

14. Scavenger Hunt Featuring Instructions With Photographs

This scavenger hunt activity offers an exciting and interactive way for students to learn about tsunamis and their scientific aspects, including vocabulary and known facts. With 24 colorful picture cards placed around the classroom, students are challenged to complete the game by finding the answers to the questions.

15. Quizlet Questions Based on a Tsunami Video

This tsunami Quizlet is based on a comprehensive History channel video about tsunamis. The Quizlet features questions that test students’ knowledge of what a tsunami is, how it is formed and its warning signs. It also includes questions about the impact of tsunamis and the ways to be prepared in case of an emergency. 

Learn More: Quizlet

16. Make a Tsunami Model 

This craft activity involves making a 3D tsunami model using cardboard. The activity requires cutting out cardboard waves and attaching them to a cardboard base to create a realistic representation of a tsunami. It is a fun and creative way to learn about this natural disaster and its devastating impact.

Learn More: How To Funda

17. Tsunami and Surf Waves Venn Diagram

This interactive Venn diagram allows students to explore the similarities and differences between tsunamis and surf waves. Students can move the labels to where they think they belong and check their answers. The activity aims to help students better understand the concepts of waves and energy transfer and to encourage citizen science. 

Learn More: Science Learn

18. Study Interesting Tsunami Facts From Third-Party Sources

This article presents the top 10 fascinating tsunami facts for kids of all ages, including information about what causes tsunamis, how they form, and the impact they can have on people and the environment. Students can choose a fact and extend their learning through paragraph writing and research. 

Learn More: Mom Junction

19. Tsunami Files: Extreme Weather Series 

With colorful illustrations and easy-to-understand language, this non-fiction book takes readers on a journey through the science of tsunamis, including how they form, how they travel across the ocean, and how they can cause widespread destruction when they reach land. From the terrifying accounts of historical tsunamis to the latest technology used to monitor and predict these events, it’s packed with fascinating facts and real-life stories that will capture the imagination of young readers. 

Learn More: Amazon

20. Tsunami Waves Art 

Based on a famous Japanese painting, kids draw and paint their own version of the great wave. With a great emphasis on color theory and personality, the lesson starts with breaking the drawing into the foreground, middle ground, and background. Children then draw the waves, whitecaps, and horizon lines before using cake tempera paint to complete the painting. 

Learn More: Deep Space Sparkle

21. Tsunami Coloring Page

Tsunami coloring pages can be a fun and educational way to teach children about the dangers of natural disasters. By providing visual aids and encouraging creativity, they can better understand how tsunamis occur and how to prepare for them. Coloring is a wonderful mindfulness activity for reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm in the classroom.

Learn More: Coloring Only

22. Read a Fictional Account About Tsunamis

This is a non-fiction account of a catastrophic tsunami that struck a small town in Sri Lanka in 2004. The story is told through the eyes of a family who survived the disaster and the aftermath, highlighting the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable tragedy. It makes for an excellent novel study and cross-curricular connection with a science unit on tsunamis. 

23. Read Tsunami Facts and Try a Quiz

In this online resource, students learn how giant ocean waves can cause serious damage to coastal areas before testing their knowledge with a comprehensive quiz about tsunamis. 

Learn More: Ducksters

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A tsunami is a series of waves in the ocean that can cause great destruction. Tsunami also means "Harbor Wave" in Japanese and is commonly referred to as a tidal wave. Tsunamis are often caused by earthquakes as was demonstrated by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan in March 2011.

However tsunamis can also be caused by volcanic eruptions, underwater explosions, large chunks of glaciers falling off and underwater landslides. Any disturbance that displaces a large volume of water can cause a tsunami.

Teaching about Tsunamis and Other Natural Disasters

Because tsunamis are related to geologic events like earthquakes and volcanoes studying this natural disaster may be a good addition to your geology unit or a unit on weather and natural disasters. Teacher Planet offers lesson plans and units on tsunamis. You can also find hands on activities. Imagine how excited your students would be to create a tsunami in class.

Worksheets, clip art and additional teaching resources are available to help you engage all the young minds in your classroom.

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