Tsunami Flashcards
What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is a large wave or group of waves
How are tsunami formed?
A disturbance on the sea floor, usually from a volcanic eruption underwater or an earthquake
What happens when the tsunami reaches land?
It slows down, however ,the height increases due to wave shoaling
What is wave shoaling?
The process of when waves enter shallower water and increase in height
Why are tsunami waves more hazardous than normal waves?
They travel further and are much more powerful. They are also much higher and many of them will carry debris
How are tsunami waves more powerful than regular waves?
They carry the energy from either a volcanic eruption or an earthquake
How do people know a tsunami is coming?
Countries that have a high risk of tsunami have alarm systems and sirens to warn people of an approaching tsunami. They also build high walls and have underground stations. Also if a tsunami is coming, the shore line will drag back so far you can walk miles out.
How did the tsunami wall fail to protect Miyako City in the Japan tsunami back in 2011?
The wall was originally 10m high, however, before the tsunami, the landmass sub-sided by 1m making the wall just 9m high so the 10m tsunami went straight over it
What was the date of the Japan tsunami?
11 March 2011
What was the time of the Japan tsunami?
2:46pm (local time)
What was the magnitude of earthquake that caused the tsunami?
9
Where was the epicentre of the earthquake that caused the tsunami?
130km off the coast of Sendai
What was the speed of the tsunami?
800km/h
What was the maximum height of the tsunami?
10m
Why did the 2011 Japan tsunami happen?
The earth was distorting. The plate that Japan sits on had lots of pressure on it that had been building up for 200 years