tidal wave
A tidal wave is a suddenly rising water level in the sea , in a flowing water or in a channel with sometimes catastrophic effects.
It can be generated by
- the effect of ebb and flow , especially during a storm surge or spring tide .
- a seaquake , see tsunami - also caused by a volcanic eruption , such as the Krakatau event of 1883
- breaking off a bank or embankment that falls into a lake, as well as rockfalls and other mass movements
- when a glacier calves , both in glaciers that end in the sea and in inland waters such as glacial lakes
Flash floods are a special form of tidal waves and represent a particular challenge for water protection . They arise z. B. by the rupture of a dam (see list of dam disasters ) or by heavy rainfall that creates floods . Typical geomorphological forms of such flood events are the alluvial cones and the dry valleys such as wadis or the Italian torrentes. The lahars , the mud floods from volcanic eruptive sediments, are a special form . Torrent barriers and flood retention basins are built for tidal waves of this type .
Flood waves could also be caused by a meteorite impacting a body of water . Such events have not yet been recorded historically. However, impact craters on the sea floor prove the occurrence of such events.
