A rare tsunami that hit a municipality in Brazil this past weekend has frightened residents after huge waves caused cars to be swept away and damaged several properties.
The massive tsunami that struck Laguna, in Santa Catarina served as a wakeup call for local authorities to improve monitoring and detection systems in the municipality to avoid similar events in the future.
Footages of the rare tsunami making rounds on social media showed scared residents after the sudden natural disaster disrupted what was supposed to be a relaxing day at the beach.
The phenomenon that occurred on Saturday was identified as meteotsunami – a form of large waves caused by storms.
Meteotsunamis are caused by disturbances in atmospheric pressure, often associated with fast-moving meteorological events, such as severe storms, gust fronts, and other storm fronts.
The large waves reached the shore of Laguna, in the Farol de Santa Marta Region, and pulled several vehicles that were parked on the edge of the beach into the sea.
The institute also reported that the waves advanced quickly because the sea waters were relatively calm very warm air and the displacement of a cold front from the east of Rio Grande do Sul.
The recent natural disaster happened more than two months after a deadly cyclone killed more than 30 people and displaced about 3,500 others in the Brazilian States of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina.
