What is the Difference Between Cyclone and Tsunami?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main differences between a cyclone and a tsunami are their causes, characteristics, and the types of damage they cause:
- Cause: A cyclone is an atmospheric weather event, formed over water and develops due to the wind, while a tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake or undersea volcanic eruption.
- Formation: Cyclones are storm systems centered around a location of low pressure, with rapid, intense, and destructive winds. Tsunamis, on the other hand, are a series of giant waves that build higher and travel faster than regular waves, caused by the displacement of a large volume of water.
- Types: There are six types of cyclones, including Polar Cyclones and Tropical Cyclones. Tsunamis are all mostly the same, with only variable intensities.
- Predictability: Cyclones can be predicted before they strike, allowing for some degree of preparation and evacuation. Tsunamis, however, cannot be predicted, which can lead to greater damage as they cannot be anticipated.
- Damage: Cyclones can cause heavy rainfall, flooding, pollution of water, erosion of beaches, and loss of life and property. Tsunamis are highly destructive, with waves that can reach up to 100 mph and cause widespread devastation to coastal and inland communities.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Cyclone and Tsunami? Comparative Table: Cyclone vs Tsunami
Comparative Table: Cyclone vs Tsunami
Here is a table comparing the differences between a cyclone and a tsunami:
Feature | Cyclone | Tsunami |
---|---|---|
Origin | Formed over water and develops by wind | Caused by underwater disturbances, often earthquakes |
Formation | Rotating storm system | Large sea wave |
Causes | Meteorological factors like temperature, moisture, and wind patterns | Primarily geological phenomena like earthquakes beneath the ocean floor |
Warning Time | Days in advance | Hours or minutes |
Area of Impact | Larger regions | Coastal areas, can be localized |
Speed | Strong winds, up to 100 mph | Massive waves, can inundate coastal areas |
Damage | Heavy rainfall, floods, pollution of water, loss of life and property, erosion of beaches, damage to trees and communication networks | Inundation of coastal areas, loss of life and property, contamination of water, injuries like crush injuries, head injuries, and asphyxiation |
Predictability | More predictable due to larger size and slower movement | Less predictable, limited time for warnings |
Read more:
- Tidal Wave vs Tsunami
- Cyclone vs Typhoon
- Tsunami vs Flood
- Cyclone vs Hurricane
- Earthquake vs Tsunami
- Hurricane vs Tornado
- Tropical Storm vs Hurricane
- Twister vs Tornado
- 2004 Tsunami vs 2011 Tsunami
- Tides vs Waves
- Catastrophe vs Disaster
- Tides vs Currents
- Volcanoes vs Earthquakes
- Wind Power vs Tidal Power
- Earthquake vs Tremor
- Flash Flood vs Riverine Flood
- Calamity vs Disaster
- Flood vs Flash Flood
- Constructive vs Destructive Waves