The gigantic tidal waves produced by earthquakes are called

The gigantic tidal waves produced by earthquakes are called Tsunamis. Any big surge of water from the oceans is called a tidal wave; the terms "Tsunami" and "Tidal Waves" mean the same and are interchangeable. Tsunamis are mistakenly called tidal waves because, when approaching land, they look as a tide which suddenly rushes away and crashes back in a form of a huge wave.