Stuart wrote:

A tidal wave is something completely
different to a tsunami, but a lot of people don't seem to realise this.

For the last time, it is not.

Get hold of a dictionary and look up the meaning.

Maybe its a common use of it, but its not correct, as those of us with
degrees in geology know. It may have become an alternative name for those
who don't know better, but the original meaning is quite different.

Regards,

Stuart

Hi,
reading your reply, I was hoping you would actually explain what the
difference is ...

In my dictionary
tidal wave:
1. a nontechnical name for tsunami
2. an unusually large incoming wave, often caused by high winds and spring
tides

tsunami
a huge destructive wave, esp one caused by an earthquake. Also called:
tidal wave.

Does this mean that in the common use they are synonymous, but only tsunami
is really caused by earthquakes?

Regards

Griz