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What Is the Difference Between a Meteotsunami, a Seiche, and a Storm Surge?
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Large waves crash against the shore. Palm trees at the shoreline are being blown by strong winds.
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Large waves crash against the shore. Palm trees at the shoreline are being blown by strong winds.
Hurricane Irma Storms, such as hurricanes, can be hazardous. This hurricane hit Miami, Florida, with very strong winds and big waves.

What Is the Difference Between a Meteotsunami, a Seiche, and a Storm Surge?

A meteotsunami is a large sea wave, a storm surge is the inland push of a series of large waves, and a seiche is the rhythmic oscillation of water occurring in an area at least partially enclosed by land.
Written by
John P. Rafferty
John P. Rafferty writes about Earth processes and the environment. He serves currently as the editor of Earth and life sciences, covering climatology, geology, zoology, and other topics that relate to...
John P. Rafferty
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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A meteotsunami is a large sea wave, with a wave height of two metres (about 6 feet) or more. Unlike seismic tsunamis, which are larger and produced by earthquakes, landslides, and strikes by meteorites or comets, meteotsunamis are generated by sudden changes in atmospheric pressure, such as during the passing of squalls or storm fronts. Meteotsunamis can produce storm surges as they approach land.

A seiche is different: it’s a rhythmic oscillation of water in a lake or in a partially enclosed coastal inlet, such as a bay, gulf, or harbour. It can last from a few minutes to several hours or for as long as two days. Like meteotsunamis, seiches are often caused by local changes in atmospheric pressure; however, they can be produced by the motions of earthquakes and by tsunamis, in the case of coastal inlets.

A surge is also caused by a change in atmospheric pressure, but this pressure change is the result of high-velocity winds working in conjunction with normal gravitational tides to produce dramatic changes in oceanic circulation and, oftentimes, flooding in coastal areas. Storm surges can be generated by local storms over inland seas and lakes, though surges usually occur over vast areas. Surges associated with tropical storms and tropical cyclones are also called storm surges.

John P. Rafferty