Waves are generated by the transfer of energy from a source, such as wind or seismic activity, to the water or air. Factors that contribute to wave formation include wind speed, duration, and fetch (the distance over which the wind blows), as well as the depth and shape of the body of water.
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Waves begin when energy is transferred through a medium, such as water or air. Factors that contribute to wave formation include wind speed, duration, and distance over which the wind blows, as well as the size and shape of the body of water.
Earthquake-generated waves are called seismic waves. They are the waves of energy that are generated by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust during an earthquake and travel through the Earth in all directions. Seismic waves are categorized into two main types: body waves (P-waves and S-waves) and surface waves (Love waves and Rayleigh waves).
Waves affect a shoreline by carrying and depositing sediments, which can contribute to erosion or accretion depending on the wave energy and direction. Strong waves can erode the shoreline by carrying away sediments, while gentler waves may deposit sediments, leading to beach formation.
Water is not the medium for earthquake waves. Earthquake waves travel through the Earth's interior, primarily through solid rock. However, earthquakes can trigger tsunamis in the ocean, which are large ocean waves caused by the displacement of water.
A tsunami starts when there is a sudden disturbance on the ocean floor, such as an earthquake, volcanic eruption, or underwater landslide. The key factors that trigger its formation are the displacement of a large volume of water, which creates powerful waves that travel across the ocean at high speeds.