What type of natural disaster can cause significant coastal damage?

The natural disaster that can cause significant coastal damage is a tsunami. Tsunamis occur when there is a sudden displacement of water, often triggered by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides. When a tsunami approaches the coastline, it can generate massive waves that inundate low-lying areas, leading to severe flooding and destruction of infrastructure, homes, and ecosystems along the coast. The strength and speed of the wave make tsunamis particularly devastating, as they can sweep inland and cause catastrophic damage within moments.

While other options such as hurricanes and floods can also lead to coastal damage, they typically require specific conditions to do so. Hurricanes can cause storm surges and heavy rainfall that result in flooding, but they are not the direct result of a sudden geological event like a tsunami. Earthquakes can cause coastal damage primarily through the shaking or potential tsunamis they may trigger, but in isolation, they do not directly impact coastlines in the same way. Floods can occur inland and along rivers but are not constrained to coastal regions. Thus, a tsunami stands out as the primary disaster specifically associated with direct and immediate coastal devastation.