Why do tsunamis (20~ft) cause more damage and flooding than the waves that surfers surf (world record 86ft)?

Question

Why do tsunamis (20~ft) cause more damage and flooding than the waves that surfers surf (world record 86ft)?

In: 2

Answer 1

Surf waves tend to be, well, out in the surf. They also usually don’t come close to 86 feet tall. Tsunamis can also get much taller than 20 feet.

There aren’t many buildings or garbage cans out in the surf, so besides other surfers there isn’t much to damage or hit your head on.

Tsunamis, however, are tall *on land*. They are in a place where they can do damage.