National Geographic: Tsunami - Killer Wave Page #6

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but terrifying.

Recently, the effects of a meteor

impact have been studied.

Depending on the size of the meteor,

you could have some

very destructive waves

generated by the splash

from a meteor in the ocean.

You could have a wave

formed hundreds of feet high.

It is probably the surprise

no one's prepared for.

A giant tsunami

generated by a meteor

may only happen once

every few thousands years.

But it doesn't take a giant tsunami

to devastate a community.

At the memorial park near Hilo,

where the Laupahoehoe school

once stood

today's students gather

with survivors

on the 50th anniversary

of the tragedy.

People ask me,

"If we have another tsunami..."

And I say,

"No, it's not if we have a tsunami.

It's when the next tsunami strikes."

Because there will definitely be

another one.

It might not be this year or next,

or even this decade.

But it could be tomorrow as well.

In Hawaii,

they know what a tsunami can do.

The rest of us would be wise

to listen to their lament

and learn from their experience.

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