On Fri, 31 Dec 2004 11:40:26 -0600, Thomas R. Wier <trwier@...> wrote:

>
> Actually, no, they aren't. Tidal waves are caused by the gravitation
> of the moon, while tsunamis are caused by seismic changes in the earth's
> crust. And parts of Atlantic Canada are witness to the largest variations
> in tidal changes on the planet.

pedantry aside...

Actually, ocean waves are caused by the winds. The tides are caused by
the rising and falling of the ocean due to the moon's influence.
Either way, i've never, ever heard an oceanographer or meteorologist
use "tidal wave" in reference to anything but a tsunami anyway, and
even now tidal wave is being displaced in favor of tsunami. .