A tsunami is an example of an event that is:

Tsunamis are classified as low frequency and high severity events due to their occurrence and potential impact. They are relatively rare, with significant tsunamis happening infrequently despite being able to cause widespread devastation when they do occur. The significant destructive capability of a tsunami—resulting from the massive displacement of water, often due to underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions—contributes to its categorization as high severity.

Events that are classified as high frequency usually occur with greater regularity but tend not to cause extensive damage. In contrast, events with low frequency but high severity, such as tsunamis, can lead to catastrophic consequences, including loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and long-term economic impacts on affected regions. This scenario distinguishes tsunamis clearly from other phenomena which might be more frequent but less harmful.