UNDERSTANDING TSUNAMI - ANSWERS

ON YOUR OWN

5. Distinguish between a tsunami and a water column.

A tsunami is a series of larger than normal waves which are usually caused by volcanic eruptions
or underwater earthquakes. A water column is the area of seawater from the surface to the sea
floor.

6. Create a flow-chart to explain how the DART system works to give early warnings of tsunami.

7. How might the impacts of the 2004 tsunami have been reduced had there been a DART system
in place?

The dart system uses seabed sensors and surface buoys to monitor changes in sea level and
pressure. The system sends the information via a satellite to tsunami warning stations, these
stations review for transmitted information and use computer modelling to estimate the size and
direction of the tsunami before informing the areas at risk. In 2004, The Indian Ocean did not have
an early warning system. The tsunami took two hours to reach Sri Lanka, where over 31,000
people died. If an early warning system had been in place many people might have had time to
evacuate. Therefore, because of the terrible impacts of the 2004 tsunami for example; the tsunami
swept away buildings,trees, bridges and washed away people and the soil, an Indian Ocean early
warning system was developed and began operating in 2006.

EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS

1. Explain the formation of tsunami (4 marks)

When an oceanic crust is jolted during an earthquake, all of the water above this plate is displaced
upwards, causing a water displacement column. This water is then pulled back down due to
gravity. The energy is transferred into the water and travels through it like a wave. The water
travels fast, but with a low amplitude, which is height. As it gets closer to the coast the sea level
decreases so there is friction between the sea bed and the waves. This causes the waves to slow
down and gain height, creating a wall of water that is on average 10 feet high, but can reach 100
feet.
2. Assess the severity of the various impacts of tsunamis. (12 marks)