Tsunamis

Presented by: Palak Arora 9th C

Overview

Tsunami - what is it? Characteristics Tsunami Formation What is the Physics behind them? How Tsunami Created? Warning systems? Examples of Tsunamis Animations/Simulations Conclusion

Tsunami- what is it?

Definition:

Unusually large wave in a harbour (Japanese) Series of water waves generated by huge and sudden perturbation (e.g. earthquakes, slides, volcanoes, asteroids) Wave period: 2-200 minutes

Characteristics:

Run-up heights: O(10-100 m) (Flooding of shoreline)

Speed

Tsunami's are also mistakenly referred to as tidal waves as they often resemble a tide that keeps rising, rather than cresting waves when they reach shore. However, as they are not actually related to tides the term may be misleading, and its use is discouraged by scientists.

Move at high speeds Can travel enormous distances with little energy loss Can cause damage thousands of miles from its origin May be several hours between its creation and its impact on the coast

Tsunami Formation

Tsunami Formation

Tsunamis can be generated when the sea floor suddenly displaces the overlying water vertically. Tectonic earthquakes are a kind of earthquake that can cause that.

When they occur beneath the sea, the water above the deformed area is displaced from its equilibrium position.
Waves are formed as the displaced water mass, acting under the force of gravity, tries to regain equilibrium. When large areas of the sea floor elevate or subside, a tsunami can be created. Large vertical movements of the earth's crust can occur at plate boundaries, at the faults.

Tsunami Formation

As a tsunami leaves the deep ocean and travels toward the shallow coast, it transforms. A tsunami moves at a speed related to the water depth, therefore the tsunami slows as the water depth decreases. The tsunami's energy flux, being dependent on both its wave speed and wave height, remains nearly constant. As a result, the tsunami's speed decreases as it travels into shallower water, and its height increases. When it reaches the coast, it may appear as a rapidly rising or a series of breaking waves.

Tsunami Formation

As a tsunami reaches the shore, it begins to lose energy . It Slows down and height increases when approaching shallow coast Tsunamis reach the coast with tremendous amounts of energy. Destructive power is due to speed and force with which they strike the coastal area. Tsunamis are stronger and retain height longer than waves generated by wind.

Whats the Physics behind the Waves

How Tsunami Created..

Tsunamis are created when: Seafloor quickly changes shape

Water is displaced
Waves are formed as the displaced water mass, which is affected gravity, tries to move back

Warning Systems

PUBLIC WARNING SYSTEM

can you tell if a tsunami is coming?

The U. S. ESSA operates warning systems. Its PTWC in Hawaii is the regional operational center for tsunami information in the Pacific A Tsunami Watch Bulletin is released when an earthquake occurs with a magnitude of 6.75 or greater on the Richter scale. A Tsunami Warning Bulletin is released when information from tidal stations indicates that a potentially destructive tsunami exists. This system is not very reliable. For example, Honolulu was evacuated in 1948 on a false alarm at a cost of more than $30 million dollars.

Examples of Tsunamis
-The fifth-largest earthquake in a century with magnitude of 26thDec2004 8.9 Richter scale -struck the coast of the northern Indonesia Island of Sumatra -triggered tsunamis in Srilanka, India,tourist islands in Thailand , Maldives, some part of East Africa

1992

The Cape Mendocino quake produced a tsunami that hit Humboldt Bay within 20 minutes

1964

an earthquake in Alaska produced a destructive tsunami that inundated Crescent City

Simulations/ Animations

Wave Propagation simulation

Conclusion
Tsunamis.. Are uncontrollable phenomenon Causes extensive loss of life Damage property Public warning systems provide some measures of protection.