Cyclone vs Tsunami: Difference and Comparison

You will be familiar with various natural disasters that exist in the universe.

Cyclones and Tsunamis are examples of natural disasters that take place on Earth. Cyclone is associated with low atmospheric pressure, while Tsunami is large water waves. Although both are destructive, they have some dissimilarities too.

Key Takeaways

1. A Cyclone is a rotating storm with high winds and heavy rain, while a Tsunami is a series of ocean waves caused by an underwater earthquake, volcanic eruption, or landslide.
2. Cyclones primarily threaten coastal regions, while Tsunamis can affect coastal areas around the ocean basin.
3. Cyclones can be predicted and monitored using advanced technology, while Tsunamis are more difficult to predict and can strike without warning.

Cyclone vs Tsunami

A cyclone is a severe storm that originates over warm ocean water in tropical regions and is caused by a system of winds that are rotating inwards to an area of low barometric pressure. A tsunami is a series of giant, destructive ocean waves caused by earthquakes or an undersea volcanic eruption.

A Cyclone is a natural disaster resulting in destructive and violent storms rotating about the low-pressure zone. It originated in various parts of the world and developed by the winds.

Cyclones cause heavy rainfall, which consequently results in a flood. In the earth’s northern hemisphere, it rotates counterclockwise, while in the southern hemisphere, the direction of a cyclone would be clockwise.

A Tsunami is a violent form of water wave that arise due to a disturbance in the ocean or an earthquake. The word Tsunami is derived from the Japanese language, which means harbour wave.

It is a non-predictive form of natural disaster. The high intensity of a tsunami can be dangerous for livelihood and cause severe damage.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Cyclone	Tsunami
What is it?	A cyclone is a destructive and violent storm that rotates about a low-pressure zone.	A Tsunami is the violent form of water waves that arise due to disturbance in the ocean or earthquake.
Origin	The word ‘Cyclone’ originated from the Greek word.	The word ‘Tsunami’ originated from the Japanese word.
Prediction	It can be predicted.	It cannot be predicted.
Development	Cyclone is developed due to the wind	A tsunami is developed with the help of an earthquake
Damages	A cyclone caused strong winds, thunderstorms, and rainfall	Tsunami will cause an abnormal rise in water

What is Cyclone?

Cyclone is derived from the Greek word ‘Cyclos,’ which means coiling snake. It is a destructive wind system in which the winds rotate in the direction inward around a low-pressure area.

It can be predicted and cause rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorm. The cyclone can be observed or detected in various parts of the world. They are formed over water and further developed by winds.

The cyclone is characterized by six broad types:

• Polar Cyclone- It is less damaging and majorly arises in less populated areas and can be as wide as 2000km.
• Polar Lows- It is difficult to predict, and its horizontal length or width can be 1000 km.
• Extra-Tropical Cyclone- It produces thunderstorms, and this can be done by cloudy weather.
• Subtropical Cyclone- This type of cyclone needs a mid-tropospheric cyclone.
• Tropical Cyclone- It results in violent storms and strong winds with 4000 km diameter.
• Meso Cyclones- They are hardly considered destructive and have 2kms to 10kms in diameter.

What is Tsunami?

The word ‘Tsunami’ originated from a Japanese word that means harbour. The nature of all kinds of tsunamis would be almost similar, but they have different intensities.

This type of natural disaster is majorly occurring or raised in the Pacific region, but it will not be predicted if this violent water wave will strike a place.

The destruction or damage caused by Tsunami is worst or more destructive. A Tsunami is caused by a disturbance in the ocean or due to an earthquake. The tsunami waves can reach up to 100 mph.

If the tsunami is developed or formed, then it results in an earthquake under the water with an intensity of up to 28. The water would be pushed in the upwards direction and have the potential and capability to destroy a whole nation.

Main Differences Between Cyclone and Tsunami

1. Natural Disasters is one of the major reason that causes heavy damage to life and property. Cyclones and tsunamis are two such natural disasters that cause severe damage to livelihood that may last for many decades. The word cyclone is derived from the Greek word ‘Cyclos,’ which means coiling snake, and on the other hand, Tsunami is derived from the Japanese word, which means harbour.
2. The destruction caused by a natural disaster can be deadly and dangerous. It is important to understand the meaning of these two terms. A cyclone results in destructive and violent storms that rotate about the low-pressure zone. On the contrary, A Tsunami is a violent form of water wave that arise due to a disturbance in the ocean or an earthquake.
3. A cyclone is broadly characterized by six types, and it can occur in various parts of the world. On the other side, a tsunami majorly occurred or arises in the Pacific region. If the prediction is concerned, a cyclone can be predicted by the scientist, but a tsunami cannot be predicted. In other words, a scientist will find it difficult to correctly predict if a tsunami strikes a place or not.
4. The formation of the natural disaster may vary from one to another. Most natural disasters are considered violent and destructive, but the intensity of their destructiveness depends on their intensity or type. The cyclones are consist of six types, Polar Cyclone, Subtropical Cyclone, Polar Lows, Meso cyclones, extratropical cyclones, and tropical cyclones. On the other hand, tsunamis are the same. They have different intensities.
5. The damage caused by natural disasters can be severe and quite deadly. A cyclone is developed by the wind. Consequently cause thunderstorms, rainfall, and strong winds. On the contrary, a tsunami is developed due to the earthquake can result in the abnormal rise of water in various water bodies.

References

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/sed.12586
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/sed.12192