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Live Science

What's the difference between a tsunami and a tidal wave?

Live Science
Summary
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79% Informative

Tidal waves are caused by the gravitational interaction between Earth and the moon .

Unlike tidal waves, tsunamis are largely unpredictable.

They result from underwater earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes and even meteorites.

Tsunamis may be barely visible, raising the ocean's surface by mere inches, but can travel at speeds of 500 mph .