The Earliest Records of Tsunami in History

The term tsunamic comes from the Japanese composed of the two kanji (tsu) meaning harbor and (nami) meaning wave (for the plural one can either follow ordinary English practice and add as s, or use an invariable plural as in the Japanese). Tsunamic are sometimes referred to as tidal waves. In recent years this term has fallen out of favour especially in the scientific community because tsunamic actually have nothing to do with tides. The once popular term derives from their most common appearance, which is that of an extraordinarily high tidal bore. Tsunami and tide both produce waves of water that move inland, but in the case of tsunami the inland movement of water is much grater and lasts for longer period, giving the impression of an incredibly high side. Although the meanings of tidal include resembling or having the form or character of the tides, and the term tsunami is no more accurate because tsunami are not limited to harbours use of the term tidal wave is discouraged by geologists and oceanographers.