How are storm surges different from tsunamis?

Storm surges and tsunamis are both powerful coastal phenomena, but they differ significantly in their origins and physical characteristics.

A storm surge is primarily a meteorological event. It occurs when high-velocity winds from tropical storms or cyclones work in conjunction with changes in atmospheric pressure and gravitational tides to raise water levels above normal sea level. These surges are often associated with heavy rains and can cause extensive flooding over vast coastal areas.12

In contrast, a tsunami is a geological event. It is a series of long-wavelength waves triggered by the sudden displacement of a large volume of water, typically caused by submarine earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions. While storm surges are driven by wind, tsunamis are seismic sea waves that can travel across the open ocean at high speeds, often remaining unnoticed until they reach shallow water, where they slow down and increase dramatically in height.345