The deadliest tsunami in documented history took place on 26 December 2004, and is known as the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Over 215,000 people, mainly in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Somalia, and on the shores of the Indian Ocean, died in this disaster. 10 things you might not know about tsunamis:
Tsunami is a Japanese word which means 'Harbour Wave'.
What causes them? Often, as with the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, it’s an Earthquake, but they can also be caused by Volcanic eruptions, landslides, Meteorites, glacier calving, nuclear tests or disasters or even drastic changes in atmospheric pressure.
About 80% of tsunamis occur within the Ring Of Fire, a zone in the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions frequently take place.
Tsunamis can travel across the ocean as fast as 500 miles (805 kilometres an hour), nearly the same speed as a jet plane.
Out in the open ocean, tsunami waves are only about a metre high because the water is deep. However, as the water gets shallower, the waves grow and can reach 35m or more – about the same height as a 10 storey block of flats. The biggest tsunami wave ever recorded measured 1,720 feet (524 meters) on July 9, 1958, in Lituya Bay, Alaska.
Sometimes, before a tsunami hits, there is a huge vacuum effect, sucking water from harbours and beaches. This is called "drawback".
The first known reference to a tsunami dates back to 426 BC when the Greek historian Thucydides referred to one in his book "History of the Peloponnesian War".
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami uncovered ancient sculptures of the lost city of Mahabalipuram in India.
Japan spends around $20 million maintaining its tsunami warning system, and all Japanese schoolchildren are taught what to do in the event of a tsunami warning.
Can animals detect that a tsunami is coming? Could animals behaving oddly act as an extra early warning system? The jury is still out on that one. It is possible that certain animals like Elephants could hear the sounds of a tsunami approaching and would move away from the sound. However, while there are claims that some animals flee the scene, other animals don’t. Humans are pretty dumb in this regard, being more likely to go towards the shore to find out what’s going on.
A Very Variant Christmas
Last year, Jade and Gloria were embroiled in a bitter conflict to win back their throne and their ancestral home. This year, Queen Jade and Princess Gloria want to host the biggest and best Christmas party ever in their palace. They invite all their friends to come and bring guests. Not even the birth of Jade's heir just before Christmas will stop them.
The guest list includes most of Britain's complement of super-powered crime-fighters, their families and friends. What could possibly go wrong?
Gatecrashers, unexpected arrivals, exploding Christmas crackers and a kidnapping, for starters.
Far away in space, the Constellations, a cosmic peacekeeping force, have suffered a tragic loss. They need to recruit a new member to replace their dead colleague. The two top candidates are both at Jade and Gloria's party. The arrival of the recruitment delegation on Christmas Eve is a surprise for everyone; but their visit means one guest now faces a life-changing decision.
Meanwhile, an alliance of the enemies of various guests at the party has infiltrated the palace; they hide in the dungeon, plotting how best to get rid of the crime-fighters and the royal family once and for all. Problem is, they all have their own agendas and differences of opinion on how to achieve their aims.
Not to mention that this year, the ghosts who walk the corridors of the palace on Christmas Eve will be as surprised by the living as the living are by them.
Themes Christmas; superheroes; reunions; parties; life choices; shocking surprises; mistaken identity; kidnap and rescue.
Reasons not to read it
- It's a bit short. You could probably read it in one sitting.
- Most of the action takes place at a Christmas party. In a palace.
- It's all about Christmas but there doesn't seem to be a schmaltzy moral message.
- There are a couple of babies and some small children in it - and one nearly gets eaten.
- Santa appears in it, but he isn't really Santa.
- Superheroes. Again.
- Not to mention a whole bunch of super-villains. Again all new ones and not the ones we know from Marvel or DC.
- It's a bit short. You could probably read it in one sitting.
- Most of the action takes place at a Christmas party. In a palace.
- It's all about Christmas but there doesn't seem to be a schmaltzy moral message.
- There are a couple of babies and some small children in it - and one nearly gets eaten.
- Santa appears in it, but he isn't really Santa.
- Superheroes. Again.
- Not to mention a whole bunch of super-villains. Again all new ones and not the ones we know from Marvel or DC.
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