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Tsunamis

A tsunami is a very long ocean wave generated by the sudden displacement of the sea floor or ocean mass. Tsunamis can hit with little warning and have killed over 4,000 people between 1990 and 2000, mostly in areas prone to earthquakes and volcanoes. Tsunamis travel very quickly in open water, reaching speeds of 1,000 km/hr, but slow and pile up in shallow water, causing enormous wave amplitudes. Tsunamis are detected using pressure recorders on the ocean floor and buoys that communicate readings via satellite to issue warnings.

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28 views

Tsunamis

A tsunami is a very long ocean wave generated by the sudden displacement of the sea floor or ocean mass. Tsunamis can hit with little warning and have killed over 4,000 people between 1990 and 2000, mostly in areas prone to earthquakes and volcanoes. Tsunamis travel very quickly in open water, reaching speeds of 1,000 km/hr, but slow and pile up in shallow water, causing enormous wave amplitudes. Tsunamis are detected using pressure recorders on the ocean floor and buoys that communicate readings via satellite to issue warnings.

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Tsunamis

What is a Tsunami?
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A very long ocean wave generated by sudden displacement of the sea


floor or of the oceanic mass. The displacement of an equivalent volume
of water generates the tsunami.

Terminology
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The term tsunami is a Japanese word meaning harbor wave.


It was named so because the wave is harmless until it enters a harbor.
It is frequently called a tidal wave, but it has nothing to do with
tides.

Hazards and Risks


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Tsunamis can hit with little or no warning.


4,000 people have been killed between 1990 and 2000.
The most prone areas are those associated with earthquakes and
volcanoes (mainly subduction zones).
Tsunamis travel very quickly relative to normal ocean waves. This is
particularly the case in open water, where velocities increase with
water depth.
Velocities can reach 1,000 km/hr. in open ocean (normal ocean wave:
90km/hr.)
In shallow water:
o the tsunami waves pile up. As a result, velocities and
wavelengths decrease. But at the same time, amplitudes can
increase enormously.
Causes of tsunamis- all involve displacement of water
o Earthquakes
o Volcanic activity
o Landslides
o Meteorite impacts
Detecting a tsunami
o Pressure recorder on bottom of ocean
o Buoy to communicate readings via satellite
o Tsunami warning centers issue warning
Tsunami warning
o When warning is issued low lying areas are evacuated
o U.S coast guard issues warnings over marine frequencies.

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