Tsunami Flashcards
What are tsunamis
A series of large waves
What are tsunamis generates by
Submarine earthquakes
Volcanic eruptions under or into the sea.
Landslides into or under the sea.
Comet or meteor rite impacts into the sea.
What is a comet
Icy body from outer regions of solar system
What is a meteorite
From asteroid belt near mars and Jupiter
What do tsunamis need
Vertical displacement of water column, over large area (100-1000km^2). Gravity helps it adjust to the displacement causing the series of waves
What is the equation for tsunamis velocity
Water velocity (v) controller by earths gravity (g 9.8m/m^2) and the depth of the sea (H)
V= square root of gH
What is the equation for tsunami amplitude related to the velocity
A^2v= constant
How do tsunamis form
As wave travels to the shore, depth decreases causing velocity to decrease which in turn caueee amplitude to increase. Wave slows down but get bigger.
How does the tsunami wave change as it gets closer to coast
In middle of ocean the depth of the sea is 5000m, velocity is 224m/s and amplitude is 2m. Unrecognisable.
10km from coast the depth is 100m, velocity is 32m/s and amplitude is 5.3m.
100m from coast the depth is 1m, beockity is 3.3m/s and amplitude is 16.5m.
What are the tsunami characteristics offshore
Velocity - FAST. 900km/h
Amplitude - SMALL. Less than 2m.
wavelength - LONG. Hundreds of km.
Hazard level - LOW. Hardly noticeable
Tsunami characteristics onshore
Vecolity = SLOW. Few tens of km/h.
Amplitude INCREASED. Several tens of m.
Wave length DECREASES to tens of km. wave crests closer.
Hazard level INCREASED.
How is a tide gauge useful in measuring tsunamis
Usually measure predictable undulating increase and decrease of sea level due to rises. 12 and half hours is the cycle of tides. Before tsunamis the red line follows prediction closely then there’s a huge variation. Blue-red to get tsunami irrespective of tide.
What isrun up
Height above mean sea level that the wave reached as it rushes onsure. Usually greater than incoming wave amplitude.
What is inundation
Horizontal distance reached, measured inland from the mean shoreline
How can run up and inundation vary considerably along a shoreline
Depends upon local bathymetry and topography
Example of run up shown by scored vegetation
2004 tsunami at Banda Aceh , Sumatra
Where do tsunamis occur
Subjection zones with large earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
Where has the highest tsunami hazard level
The Pacific Ocean due to the ring of fire
What is the percentage of tsunamis that happen in the Pacific
59%
What is the percentage of tsunamis in the Mediterranean Sea
25%
Where else contains relatively short subduction zones
Indian and Atlantic oceans