What happens when a tsunami meets the shore?

Here is my final answer for What happens when a tsunami meets the shore?

Before a tsunami hits the shore the wave is a giant water wall. Then the water will crash down with tremendous power. It then rushes through the land taking with it anything in its path. Houses, trees and people don’t stand a chance as the water rushes through. The original colour of the water is white because of all the whitewash when the waves crash down. Then as soon as the water rushes through the land it changes colour to brown because of all the dirt and debris. Everything in the wave’s path is then picked up to make a floating death river.

Flying debris can kill. Since everything in its path is picked up all the water is filled with wood, dirt and other types of debris. Many of those killed in the Asian tsunami did not drown but were killed by pieces of wood and metal swept along by the wave.

Many people think that a tsunami is one large wave, but it’s not. A tsunami is a series of large waves. Waves can rush towards the shore for several hours. This makes it difficult to rescue people trapped by the water.