Tsunamis are giant waves caused by undersea earthquakes or volcanic eruptions that displace large volumes of water. A tsunami forms as the displaced water moves vertically and generates a 'whip' effect on the surface of the ocean. Though they travel very quickly, sometimes at 700 km/h, tsunamis can maintain much of their strength over thousands of kilometers due to the great depths of the oceans. Countries most often affected by tsunamis include those bordering the Pacific Ocean like Japan, Indonesia, Chile, Mexico, and the coastal regions of the United States like Hawaii.