Earthquake Causes Tsunami. Energy accumulates in the overriding plate until it exceeds the frictional forces between the two stuck plates. When this happens, the overriding plate snaps back into an unrestrained position. This sudden motion is the cause of the tsunami - because it gives an enormous shove to the overlying water.
Ajo is in the Sonoran Desert, tucked away in Western Pima County in Arizona, about 120 miles southwest of Phoenix and 130 miles west of Tucson.
Maricopa County. Maricopa County is located in central Arizona. The county has a total land area of 9,224 square miles, making it the fifth largest county in Arizona. Maricopa County is the most populous county in Arizona, comprising about 57% of the states population. As of the 2010 census, Phoenix is the largest city, with a population of 1,445,632.