Flood vs. Tsunami — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 30, 2023
A flood is an overflow of water onto typically dry land, while a tsunami is a massive sea wave caused by undersea disturbances.

Difference Between Flood and Tsunami
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Flood and Tsunami, both involve large volumes of water, but their origins and impacts differ. A flood is an event where water overflows onto typically dry land, often due to prolonged heavy rainfall, melting snow, or dam failure. This means that an area which is usually dry gets submerged, causing potential harm to properties, infrastructure, and lives.

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Oct 30, 2023
On the other hand, a tsunami is specifically a sea phenomenon. It's a series of massive sea waves resulting from disturbances beneath the ocean's surface, usually from seismic activities like earthquakes. Unlike typical waves, which are generated by the wind, tsunamis are generated by energy displacement, making them far more powerful and devastating.

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Oct 30, 2023
Floods can occur anywhere with sufficient rainfall or water flow, including cities, towns, or countryside areas. They can last for an extended period, especially if the rain continues or if there are issues with water drainage. Tsunamis, in contrast, specifically affect coastal areas and can happen rapidly, giving people little time to react.

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Oct 30, 2023
Both floods and tsunamis are natural disasters, which can cause significant loss of life and property damage. While floods are often associated with excess water from rain or river overflow, tsunamis are strictly related to seismic activities beneath the ocean, leading to massive waves crashing onto shores.

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Oct 30, 2023
Comparison Chart
Origin
Heavy rainfall, melting snow, or dam failure
Undersea disturbances like earthquakes

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Oct 30, 2023
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Location
Can occur anywhere with sufficient water flow
Affects coastal areas

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Oct 30, 2023
Duration
Can last for extended periods
Happens rapidly, usually in a series of waves

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Oct 30, 2023
Cause
Excess water
Energy displacement in the ocean

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Oct 30, 2023
Typical Affected Areas
Cities, towns, countryside areas
Coastal regions

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Oct 30, 2023
Compare with Definitions
Flood
A flood is an overflow of water onto land.
The city was unprepared for the sudden Flood.

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Oct 30, 2023
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Tsunami
A tsunami is a large sea wave caused by undersea disturbances.
The earthquake triggered a devastating Tsunami.

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Oct 30, 2023
Flood
A flood can be a result of various water sources.
The river's overflow led to a massive Flood downstream.

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Oct 30, 2023
Tsunami
Tsunamis are characterized by their massive power and height.
Residents were evacuated after Tsunami warnings were issued.

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Oct 30, 2023
Flood
A flood often denotes an inundation or deluge.
The Flood warnings were issued well in advance.

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Oct 30, 2023
Tsunami
Tsunami results from seismic activities beneath the ocean.
The coastal town was hit hard by the Tsunami.

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Oct 30, 2023
Flood
A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry. In the sense of "flowing water", the word may also be applied to the inflow of the tide.

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Apr 24, 2020
Tsunami
Tsunamis can cause significant damage and loss of life.
The Tsunami washed away entire villages along the coast.

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Oct 30, 2023
Flood
An overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally dry land
A flood barrier
The villagers had been cut off by floods and landslides

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Apr 24, 2020
Tsunami
A tsunami is not a regular tidal wave.
Scientists use specific instruments to predict a Tsunami.

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Oct 30, 2023
Flood
An outpouring of tears
She burst into floods of tears

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Apr 24, 2020
Tsunami
A tsunami ( (t)soo-NAH-mee, (t)suu-; from Japanese: 津波, lit. 'harbour wave', pronounced [tsɯnami]) is a series of waves in a water body caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, generally in an ocean or a large lake. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other underwater explosions (including detonations, landslides, glacier calvings, meteorite impacts and other disturbances) above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
Short for floodlight

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Apr 24, 2020
Tsunami
A long, high sea wave caused by an earthquake or other disturbance
The loss of human lives from this latest tsunami is staggering

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
Cover or submerge (an area) with water in a flood
The dam burst, flooding a small town

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Apr 24, 2020
Tsunami
A very large ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
Arrive in overwhelming amounts or quantities
Sunlight flooded in at the windows
Congratulatory messages flooded in
His old fears came flooding back

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Apr 24, 2020
Tsunami
A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption. Tsunami are usually a series of waves, or wave train.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
(of a woman) experience a uterine haemorrhage.

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Apr 24, 2020
Tsunami
(figurative) A large and generally unstoppable surge.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
An overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry.

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Apr 24, 2020
Tsunami
A huge destructive wave (especially one caused by an earthquake)

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
A flood tide.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
A large amount or number, especially when moving from one place to another
Received a flood of applications.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
A floodlight, specifically a unit that produces a beam of intense light.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
Flood In the Bible, the covering of the earth with water that occurred during the time of Noah.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
To cover or submerge with water; inundate
The town was flooded when the dam burst.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
To move into or fill in large numbers or amounts
People flooded the square. His inbox was flooded with mail.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
To overwhelm in large numbers
The theater was flooded with ticket requests.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
To put too much fuel into the carburetor of (an engine), resulting in unsuccessful ignition.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
To become inundated or submerged
The underpass floods after a heavy rain.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
To pour forth; overflow
The river floods nearly every spring.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
An overflow (usually disastrous) of water from a lake or other body of water due to excessive rainfall or other input of water.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
(figuratively) A large number or quantity of anything appearing more rapidly than can easily be dealt with.
A flood of complaints

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
The flowing in of the tide, opposed to the ebb.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
A floodlight.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
Menstrual discharge; menses.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
(obsolete) Water as opposed to land.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
To overflow, as by water from excessive rainfall.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
To cover or partly fill as if by a flood.
The floor was flooded with beer.
They flooded the room with sewage.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
(figuratively) To provide (someone or something) with a larger number or quantity of something than can easily be dealt with.
The station's switchboard was flooded with listeners making complaints.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
To paste numerous lines of text to (a chat system) in order to disrupt the conversation.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
To bleed profusely, as after childbirth.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
A great flow of water; a body of moving water; the flowing stream, as of a river; especially, a body of water, rising, swelling, and overflowing land not usually thus covered; a deluge; a freshet; an inundation.
A covenant never to destroyThe earth again by flood.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
The flowing in of the tide; the semidiurnal swell or rise of water in the ocean; - opposed to ebb; as, young flood; high flood.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
A great flow or stream of any fluid substance; as, a flood of light; a flood of lava; hence, a great quantity widely diffused; an overflowing; a superabundance; as, a flood of bank notes; a flood of paper currency.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
Menstrual disharge; menses.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
To overflow; to inundate; to deluge; as, the swollen river flooded the valley.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
To cause or permit to be inundated; to fill or cover with water or other fluid; as, to flood arable land for irrigation; to fill to excess or to its full capacity; as, to flood a country with a depreciated currency.

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
The rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land;
Plains fertilized by annual inundations

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
An overwhelming number or amount;
A flood of requests
A torrent of abuse

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
Light that is a source of artificial illumination having a broad beam; used in photography

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
A large flow

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
The act of flooding; filling to overflowing

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
The inward flow of the tide;
A tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
Fill quickly beyond capacity; as with a liquid;
The basement was inundated after the storm
The images flooded his mind

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
Cover with liquid, usually water;
The swollen river flooded the village
The broken vein had flooded blood in her eyes

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
Supply with an excess of;
Flood the market with tennis shoes
Glut the country with cheap imports from the Orient

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
Become filled to overflowing;
Our basement flooded during the heavy rains

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Apr 24, 2020
Flood
Flood refers to submerging of usually dry areas.
Continuous rain caused a Flood in the valley.

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Oct 30, 2023
Flood
Flood can signify an excessive amount or number.
The market saw a Flood of new tech products this year.

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Oct 30, 2023
Common Curiosities
Is a tidal wave the same as a tsunami?
No, tidal waves are caused by the gravitational interactions of the sun and moon, while tsunamis result from undersea disturbances.

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Oct 30, 2023
Is flooding always a natural event?
Mostly, but human activities like deforestation and poor urban planning can exacerbate or even cause flooding.

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Oct 30, 2023
Can we prevent floods?
While we can't prevent natural rainfall, proper urban planning, and water management can mitigate flood risks.

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Oct 30, 2023
Are floods predictable?
To some extent, with the help of meteorological data and water level monitoring, floods can be predicted.

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Oct 30, 2023
How quickly can a tsunami reach the shore after an earthquake?
It varies, but a tsunami can reach the coast within minutes to several hours after the seismic activity.

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Oct 30, 2023
What's the main reason behind tsunamis?
Major undersea earthquakes are the primary cause, but volcanic eruptions and landslides can also trigger tsunamis.

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Oct 30, 2023
Can a flood happen in a desert?
Yes, flash floods can occur in deserts due to sudden heavy rainfall.

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Oct 30, 2023
Can dams prevent floods?
Dams can regulate water flow and reduce flood risks, but if not managed correctly, they can also cause floods.

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Oct 30, 2023
Are floods more common than tsunamis?
Yes, floods occur more frequently worldwide than tsunamis.

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Oct 30, 2023
How fast can a tsunami travel?
In deep water, a tsunami can travel at speeds up to 500-800 kilometers per hour.

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Oct 30, 2023
Can tsunamis occur in any ocean?
Yes, but they're most common in the Pacific Ocean due to the active tectonic boundaries.

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Oct 30, 2023
How high can a tsunami wave get?
Tsunamis can reach heights of 100 feet or more, depending on the seismic energy released.

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Oct 30, 2023
Do floods only occur due to rain?
While rain is a common cause, floods can also result from melting snow, dam failures, and storm surges.

Fiza Rafique
Oct 30, 2023
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.