The 'Meteotsunami': A Sudden Sea Event Hits Valencia's Coast
Listen to the story
Something strange happened at the sea in Xàbia and Gandia, Spain. The water suddenly went far away from the beach. Then it came back fast. People call this a rissaga. Scientists also call it a meteotsunami.
A meteotsunami is not the same as a normal tsunami. A normal tsunami comes from an earthquake under the sea. A meteotsunami comes from the weather. Fast changes in air pressure can push the sea. This makes the water move very quickly.
On the Valencian coast, the sea rose by up to 70 centimeters in only five minutes. This is a big change in a short time. It can surprise people at the beach.
This event happened in summer. It was one more strange weather moment this summer in the Valencian region. Local news called it a 'climate surprise.'
Experts say people must be careful near the sea when this happens. The water can move fast without warning.
Vocabulary8 words
- rissaga
- a local word for a sudden, strange movement of the sea
- meteotsunami
- a wave made by fast weather changes, not by an earthquake
- tsunami
- a very big, dangerous sea wave
- earthquake
- a sudden shaking of the ground
- pressure
- the force of air pushing on things
- centimeters
- small units used to measure length
- region
- a part of a country
- surprise
- something you did not expect
Quiz
Answer key
1. A wave caused by fast weather changes 2. Up to 70 centimeters 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Something strange happened at the sea in Xàbia and _____, Spain.
The water suddenly went far away from the _____.
People call this a _____.
Scientists also call it a _____.
A normal tsunami comes from an _____ under the sea.
A meteotsunami comes from the _____.
Fast changes in air _____ can push the sea.
The sea rose by up to 70 _____ in only five minutes.
This event happened in _____.
Local news called it a 'climate _____.'