Tidal Wave :: Why no one ran...

As I was watching some amateur coverage on the tidal waves that hit various parts of the affected areas, I noticed one thing: nobody really knew or saw the tidal waves coming till it was too late.
I don't know about you but the only tidal waves I had ever seen were those hollywood versions where the waves rise like a gigantic surfs (think hawaiian shores) that rise up 10 storeys and come crashing down on the ground. When I first saw the coverage I was surprised to see none of that. The tsuname tidal waves just raised the water level up high and caused the massive flooding. Because it came in a few waves and not just one big wave, people didn't really see the impending danger.

So why were there no giant surfs? My guess is this:
Giant surfs (if thats what you call it), are caused by stong winds above the surface of the water, causing the upper layers of water to move faster that that below and in front. The water has to go somewhere and so they 'climb' on top of the water in front. This, helped by the shallowing of depth as the water reaches the beach, causes the water to rise and 'climb over' and then come crashing down to the ground.
With tsunamis, however, wind is not the cause. Underwater earthquakes cause an immense displacement of water (like what happens when I jump into a swimming pool, :). This displacement comes from the volume of water itself so the whole water level rises and moves in all directions. SO you won't see giant surfs in a tsunami tidal wave. That's the scary part isn't it?
From what I gather from videos taken, most of them didn't feel in danger and most had a 'wow, that's a big wave...'. It wasn't till they realised the waves were getting bigger and were not slowing down did they realise that something was amiss.

There are signs however of an impending tidal wave, you can find these out at other websites or blogs. Just google it.

Sigh, death opens its mouth wide and swallows every living person. No in history has ever escaped death...except our Lord Jesus Christ, who died, but was resurrected and ascended to heaven! And because of this, those who believe in Jesus, death cannot keep them. They too will go to heaven to be with Jesus. Which would you choose? Death or life?