Statement I: The potential energy that results from pushing water above mean sea level is transferred to kinetic energy that initiates the horizontal propagation of tsunami waves. Statement II: The vertical displacement of sea-water due to abrupt and jerky movements of fault blocks on sea-bed gives birth to tsunamis.

Statement I is true as tsunamis are initiated by the conversion of energy. When a column of water is pushed above or below mean sea level, it creates gravitational potential energy [3]. Gravity then pulls the water back toward equilibrium, converting this potential energy into kinetic energy, which drives the horizontal propagation of the wave. Statement II is also true and provides the correct explanation for Statement I. Tsunamis are primarily generated by the abrupt, jerky vertical displacement of the seafloor due to fault block movements during subduction earthquakes [2]. This sudden seafloor deformation vertically displaces the overlying water column, providing the initial 'work' or energy required to create the potential energy described in Statement I [3]. Thus, the physical movement of the seabed (Statement II) is the direct cause of the energy transformation process (Statement I).

Sources

1. [3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165212520303139
2. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > Causes > p. 15
3. [2] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Natural Hazards and Disasters > Tsunami > p. 59