Earthquakes create big waves in the ocean.

Earthquakes occurring beneath the ocean floor can cause abrupt movements of the seafloor, either uplifting or lowering it. This sudden vertical deformation displaces the overlying water column from its equilibrium position, initiating a series of long-traveling waves known as tsunamis. These waves can move at speeds up to 800 kilometers per hour across the open ocean and grow significantly in height as they approach shallow coastal waters. The energy released by the earthquake is transferred to the water, creating these large waves that can cause extensive damage upon reaching shorelines. This process is well-documented and widely accepted in geophysical and oceanographic research.

While not all earthquakes generate tsunamis, those that involve significant vertical displacement of the seafloor are the primary natural cause of these large ocean waves. Other causes include volcanic eruptions and underwater landslides, but the connection between undersea earthquakes and tsunami generation is a fundamental concept in earth sciences.