Tidal Wave - A large gathering of water that is forced into a small area, creating a large wave.
   
  A tidal wave is caused by shifting of the ground under the ocean, and can be very dangerous to things around the water's edge.  Drilling for oil and removal of large sections of land are two things humans have done that can affect the formation of these waves.
   
 

When a tidal wave occurs the water rises much higher up the land than it normally would.  This can mean that plants and animals get submerged in water.

The land that gets taken under the tidal wave can also be destroyed, so that it can no longer support plants.  The picture to the right shows land that would have once been used to support farms and other plant life.  All of this is now gone.

Also, marine life is greatly affected.  All of the things that are dragged back into the water can become a problem for marine life, not to mention the marine animals who get trapped on land when the water retreats. 

   
  Humans can have their homes and businesses taken away by a tidal wave.  When things are built too close to the water, they can be completely destroyed.  The image to the left shows a before and after picture of a peninsula in Malaysia.

In 2004 the tidal wave in the Indian Ocean took 230 000 lives.  There were also 1 700 000 people who were forced to leave their homes and all of their belongings.

 
   
  There is not much that can be done to stop a tidal wave, however, since the disaster of 2004 there has been a lot of research into predicting when a tidal wave will occur, and warning signals to tell people there is one coming.

Other than that, some governments have attempted to set up safety spots.  This picture shows a "tidal wave tower" in Japan.  To read more about it, click here (scroll down for English).
   
  Below you will find a video that shows a yearly tidal wave in China.  People have actually gathered to see it...not a good idea.