how far can tsunami travel

Tsunamis can travel very long distances across the ocean. In the open ocean, tsunami waves can reach speeds of up to 500-600 miles per hour (800-965 kilometers per hour), which is as fast as a jet plane. Despite their high speed, the wavelength of a tsunami is very long, often exceeding 100 miles (160 kilometers), which means the time between wave crests can be tens of minutes.

Because of their speed and long wavelength, tsunamis can travel across entire ocean basins in a matter of hours. For example:

• A tsunami triggered by an earthquake in Japan can reach the western coast of North America (e.g., California, USA) in about 7-10 hours.
• Similarly, a tsunami originating in the Indian Ocean can travel to Africa or the Middle East in 5-10 hours.

Once a tsunami reaches the shore, it can inundate coastal areas, causing widespread destruction. The distance it travels inland depends on the height of the wave and the topography of the land. In some cases, tsunamis have been known to travel miles inland, especially in low-lying areas or river mouths.

In summary: Tsunamis can travel thousands of miles across the ocean and reach distant coastlines, often within hours, and then move several miles inland depending on the terrain.