1.3c tsunami Flashcards
1
Q
What is a Tsunami?
A
Usually a sequence of waves with deep troughs in between.
Created by water column displacement, mostly by undersea plate
movements where part of seabed is thrust upwards (or downwards) very quickly OR by explosive volcanic eruptions on a volcanic island OR
underwater landslides such as at continental shelf edges
2
Q
How do Tsunamis form?
A
When an earthquake, volcano or landslide happens on the ocean floor, water is displaced. This water forms the start of the tsunami.
When the waves reach shallower water:
• they begin to slow down
• they grow in height and gain energy
3
Q
Water Column Displacement
A
movement of a volume of sea water above the epicentre of an earthquake due to the sea bed being ‘thrust’ upwards
