Click on each number to learn about various aspects of tsunami's. Use the content provided to answer the questions that follow.
History
Tsunamis have occurred frequently throughout history; however, it wasn’t until the catastrophic tsunami in 2004 that this natural phenomenon gained significant exposure amongst the general population. This is due in large part to the prevalence of mainstream media. The following represents some of the greatest tsunamis events in history-
How they Work
Tsunamis are not a cause they are an effect. They result from the displacement of water that in most cases is due to the movement of tectonic plates due to an earthquake. In more rare events, this displacement of water can be the result of volcanic eruptions, glacial carving, meteorite impacts or landslides. It’s similar to dropping a rock into a pool and seeing the waves move outwards from the impact site. A similar even happens in tsunamis except the source of the disturbance is much more significant, can take place above (meteorite impact) or below (earthquake) the water’s surface. What results is a huge tidal wave that can be 30 meters (100 feet) high moving at an incredible speed.
Because these types of natural disasters are so frequent in Japan, the actual word tsunami comes from the Japanese words ‘tsu’ meaning harbor and ‘nami’ meaning wave.
Why so Destructive?
What makes a tsunami so destructive is both its size and speed. Tsunamis can reach speeds of 222 m/s (729 ft/s) and heights of 30 meters (100 feet). Think about the difference between throwing a tennis ball 5 m/s and throwing a bowling ball at 100 m/s, which would create more damage? Check out the video below for the top 5 Tsunami's
Why Study?
Tsunamis are a major concern for scientists today and therefore the continuous study, monitoring, and measurement of tsunamis activity is so important. Currently, tsunamis are monitored at various warning centers which use open-ocean tsunami buoys and coastal tide gages to measure activity. Seismic data from earthquakes (how much disturbance they create) is also used and the magnitude and intensity of the earthquake can often give scientists valuable information on the probability of a tsunami occurring and the resulting size and impact it will make. This information is often available in a short window of time before the effects of the tsunami are able to reach the shore. This can help to reduce the death toll from these disasters, as people are able to evacuate and is why it is so critical to have warning centers and proper emergency procedures in place.
Impact
Social: Tsunamis have the power to devastate a landscape. The force with which the waves impact the land can easily topple buildings, destroy infrastructure, cause fires and result in massive flooding. Tsunamis’ will leave hundreds homeless and stranded until emergency help can arrive. People could be left without food or drinkable water, without electricity or proper sanitation. They will be crowded together and potentially injured without medical assistance. Many will die after the water has receded but before help can arrive. Environmental: Not only can tsunamis kill and injure humans they can also have significant and devastating effects on the environment. Directly, tsunamis move a lot of water both away from the ocean and onto the shore, which will damage natural ecosystems and displace certain populations of aquatic and land organisms. Assuming this immediate displacement doesn’t kill the species immediately, it will severely impact the health of the organism.
Tsunamis can also indirectly impact an environment. For example, disaster debris can be improperly disposed of, burned in the open air or dumped in protected areas resulting in hazardous materials becoming intermixed with normal garbage. In addition, soil and water can become contaminated through the release of chemicals such as asbestos and fuel.
Being Prepared
If you live in an area that has experienced or could potentially experience a tsunami there are a number of things you can do in advance to prepare. Precautions include: planning and practicing an evacuation route toward higher ground, learning the warning signals, discussing preparedness with your family and local community, listening to the radio and other official releases immediately after an earthquake to see if there are any potential signs that a tsunami may occur, and by having supplies and other essentials like canned food, water, flashlights and batteries ready.
Some of the warning signs that a tsunami may occur include:
there is a large earthquake that lasts for more than 20 seconds
Tsunami's
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Transcript
Tsunami
Click on each number to learn about various aspects of tsunami's. Use the content provided to answer the questions that follow.
History
Tsunamis have occurred frequently throughout history; however, it wasn’t until the catastrophic tsunami in 2004 that this natural phenomenon gained significant exposure amongst the general population. This is due in large part to the prevalence of mainstream media. The following represents some of the greatest tsunamis events in history-
How they Work
Tsunamis are not a cause they are an effect. They result from the displacement of water that in most cases is due to the movement of tectonic plates due to an earthquake. In more rare events, this displacement of water can be the result of volcanic eruptions, glacial carving, meteorite impacts or landslides. It’s similar to dropping a rock into a pool and seeing the waves move outwards from the impact site. A similar even happens in tsunamis except the source of the disturbance is much more significant, can take place above (meteorite impact) or below (earthquake) the water’s surface. What results is a huge tidal wave that can be 30 meters (100 feet) high moving at an incredible speed. Because these types of natural disasters are so frequent in Japan, the actual word tsunami comes from the Japanese words ‘tsu’ meaning harbor and ‘nami’ meaning wave.
Why so Destructive?
What makes a tsunami so destructive is both its size and speed. Tsunamis can reach speeds of 222 m/s (729 ft/s) and heights of 30 meters (100 feet). Think about the difference between throwing a tennis ball 5 m/s and throwing a bowling ball at 100 m/s, which would create more damage? Check out the video below for the top 5 Tsunami's
Why Study?
Tsunamis are a major concern for scientists today and therefore the continuous study, monitoring, and measurement of tsunamis activity is so important. Currently, tsunamis are monitored at various warning centers which use open-ocean tsunami buoys and coastal tide gages to measure activity. Seismic data from earthquakes (how much disturbance they create) is also used and the magnitude and intensity of the earthquake can often give scientists valuable information on the probability of a tsunami occurring and the resulting size and impact it will make. This information is often available in a short window of time before the effects of the tsunami are able to reach the shore. This can help to reduce the death toll from these disasters, as people are able to evacuate and is why it is so critical to have warning centers and proper emergency procedures in place.
Impact
Social: Tsunamis have the power to devastate a landscape. The force with which the waves impact the land can easily topple buildings, destroy infrastructure, cause fires and result in massive flooding. Tsunamis’ will leave hundreds homeless and stranded until emergency help can arrive. People could be left without food or drinkable water, without electricity or proper sanitation. They will be crowded together and potentially injured without medical assistance. Many will die after the water has receded but before help can arrive. Environmental: Not only can tsunamis kill and injure humans they can also have significant and devastating effects on the environment. Directly, tsunamis move a lot of water both away from the ocean and onto the shore, which will damage natural ecosystems and displace certain populations of aquatic and land organisms. Assuming this immediate displacement doesn’t kill the species immediately, it will severely impact the health of the organism. Tsunamis can also indirectly impact an environment. For example, disaster debris can be improperly disposed of, burned in the open air or dumped in protected areas resulting in hazardous materials becoming intermixed with normal garbage. In addition, soil and water can become contaminated through the release of chemicals such as asbestos and fuel.
Being Prepared
If you live in an area that has experienced or could potentially experience a tsunami there are a number of things you can do in advance to prepare. Precautions include: planning and practicing an evacuation route toward higher ground, learning the warning signals, discussing preparedness with your family and local community, listening to the radio and other official releases immediately after an earthquake to see if there are any potential signs that a tsunami may occur, and by having supplies and other essentials like canned food, water, flashlights and batteries ready. Some of the warning signs that a tsunami may occur include:- there is a large earthquake that lasts for more than 20 seconds
- a noticeable fall/rise in water levels
- a drastic change in normal water patterns