Question:easy

Tsunamis are frequently caused by earthquakes at

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Tsunamis are most commonly caused by vertical displacement of the ocean floor during earthquakes at subduction zones.
Updated On: Jun 1, 2026
  • slow-spreading ridges
  • fast-spreading ridges
  • subduction zones
  • transform faults
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: How a tsunami starts.
A tsunami needs the sea floor to jump up or down quickly. That sudden lift pushes a huge volume of water and makes the wave.

Step 2: What setting gives vertical jumps.
We need a place where faulting moves the floor up and down, not just side to side.

Step 3: Look at ridges.
Slow and fast spreading ridges mostly pull apart and slip sideways. They rarely lift the floor enough to drive a big tsunami.

Step 4: Look at transform faults.
Transform faults slide past one another horizontally. With little vertical motion, they seldom raise large tsunamis.

Step 5: Choose subduction zones.
At subduction zones one plate suddenly thrusts over another, lifting the floor sharply. This is the main source of large tsunamis.
\[ \boxed{\text{Subduction zones}} \]
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