Tsunamis Flashcards
How are Tsunamis generated?
Tsunamis are generated when dip slip earthquakes occur on or near the ocean floor. When part of the ocean floor is lifted up the water above it goes up generating large waves aka Tsunami
Tsunami amplitude
• Very small amplitude (height) in open ocean (1m) However can rise to 10m when it hits the shore. Very hard to see in the open ocean. Appear as normal waves to the eye
Tsunami Periods
Has very long periods 10-15 minutes per cycle
Tsunami Velocity
can travel at up to 800km/hr in the deepest ocean depth.
On average however, waves generally travel 200m/s to 700km/hr (500mph)
Tsunami Wavelength
Has very large wave lengths stretching out to 200km-800km
Tsunami Periods
Has very long periods 10-15 minutes per cycle
Tsunami Speed
can travel at up to 800km/hr
Tsunami Wavelength
Has very large wave lengths stretching out to 200km
Warning Systems
Tsunami monitoring systems have been strategically deployed near regions with a history of tsunami generation, to ensure measurement of the waves as they propagate towards coastal communities and to acquire data critical to real-time forecasts.
Warning systems (2)
DART II has two-way communications between the BPR and the Tsunami Warning Center (TWC) using the Iridium commercial satellite communications system. The two-way communications allow the TWCs to set stations in event mode in anticipation of possible tsunamis
Tsunami generation (detailed)
Between earthquakes, rocks near fault bend and store elastic energy. During earthquake, that energy is rapidly released. The displacement of the seafloor produces a mound of water that spreads out into the tsunami
Tsunami generation (detailed2)
The generation of a tsunami by storage and release of elastic energy at a subduction zone.
Significant events
Great Sumatra Earth Quake Tsunami, Magnitude 9 near the East coast of Honshu Japan
