meteotsunamistsunamilike

Meteotsunamis are oceanic waves that resemble tsunamis but are caused by meteorological conditions rather than seismic activity. These phenomena, also known as atmospheric tsunamis or air-sea interaction events, occur when rapid changes in atmospheric pressure create a wave that propagates across the ocean surface.

The underlying mechanism often involves a mesoscale atmospheric disturbance, such as a squall line or a low-pressure system, moving at a speed comparable to the shallow-water wave speed of the ocean. As this disturbance travels, it pushes the water ahead of it, creating a bulge. If the speed of the disturbance matches the speed at which waves normally travel in that particular water depth, the disturbance can effectively "push" the water along, amplifying the wave. This resonance effect can lead to a significant, sudden rise and fall in sea level, mimicking the behavior of a tsunami.

Meteotsunamis can cause coastal flooding, damage to infrastructure, and pose a hazard to maritime activities. They are typically observed in relatively shallow coastal waters and enclosed or semi-enclosed bodies of water, such as the Great Lakes. While they can be destructive, their duration is usually much shorter than that of seismic tsunamis. Predicting meteotsunamis is challenging due to the complex interplay between atmospheric dynamics and oceanographic conditions.