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Tsunami Notes

The document discusses tsunamis, including what they are, their causes, hazards, risks, effects, and methods of detection and warning. Tsunamis are large ocean waves caused by sudden displacement of the sea floor or ocean mass, such as from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides. They can hit coastlines with little warning and cause significant damage by dragging debris ashore as the wave recedes back out to sea.

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78 views2 pages

Tsunami Notes

The document discusses tsunamis, including what they are, their causes, hazards, risks, effects, and methods of detection and warning. Tsunamis are large ocean waves caused by sudden displacement of the sea floor or ocean mass, such as from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides. They can hit coastlines with little warning and cause significant damage by dragging debris ashore as the wave recedes back out to sea.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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Tsunamis

What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is 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.
Hazards and Risks of Tsunamis
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
(subduction zones)
Locally Generated Tsunamis
The subduction zone of Cascadia has potential for very large offshores quakes (M
greater than or equal to 8)
Velocities in Deep Water
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 1000 km/hr in open ocean (normal ocean wave; ~90 km/hr
Shallow Water
In shallow water, the tsunami waves pile up
As a result, velocities and wavelengths decrease but at the same time, amplitudes
can increase enormously
Long Wavelength and The Coast

Causes of tsunamis all involve displacement of water


Earthquakes
Volcanic Activity
Landslides
Meteorite Impacts
Damage Due to Tsunamis
Waves often full of debris (trees, cars, pieces of wood, etc.)

As the wave recedes, the debris drags more stuff with it


Can recede as much as a km out to see, leaving shoreline empty with flopping fish,
boat etc. on the bottom
Detecting a Tsunami
Pressure recorder on bottom of ocean
Buoy to communicate readings via satellite
Tsunami Warning Centers issue warning
Tsunami Warning Centers
Hawaii and Alaska
When EQ considered capable of generating tsunami, send warning with estimated
arrival time
Once tsunami hits somewhere, tsunami watch established to monitor tide gauges
and ocean buoys
Response to Tsunami
Requires good emergency planning and preparation:
An educated and trained public

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