A tsunami (Japanese: 津波, lit. "harbor wave"; Japanese pronunciation: [tsɯnami]; English pronunciation: tsuːˈnɑːmi tsoo-NAH-mee or suːˈnɑːmi soo-NAH-mee) is a series of water waves (also called a tsunami wave train) caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, usually an ocean, though it can occur in large lakes. Tsunamis are a frequent occurrence in Japan; approximately 195 events have been recorded. Owing to the immense volumes of water and the high energy involved, tsunamis can devastate coastal regions.