Waves and Waves and TsunamisTsunamisDanny Nolan and Lara CanhamDanny Nolan and Lara Canham

WavesWavesWaves are described by Waves are described by

two independent two independent variables:variables:Frequency- number of Frequency- number of

cyclescyclesWavelength- distance Wavelength- distance

between any point on a between any point on a wave and the wave and the corresponding point on corresponding point on the next wavethe next wave

And by: amplitude- the And by: amplitude- the height of the crest of height of the crest of each waveeach wave

Uniqueness of WaterUniqueness of Water*Solvent properties- great solvent power *Solvent properties- great solvent power

as a result of its polarity, bent shape, as a result of its polarity, bent shape, and H-bonding abilityand H-bonding ability

*high surface tension and high *high surface tension and high capillaritycapillarity

*Bonding water molecules form a *Bonding water molecules form a hexagonal, open structure which hexagonal, open structure which explains the beauty in snowflakesexplains the beauty in snowflakes

*solid state of water is less dense than *solid state of water is less dense than the liquid statethe liquid state

*high specific heat and high heat of *high specific heat and high heat of vaporization, which combine to give vaporization, which combine to give the Earth and its organisms a narrow the Earth and its organisms a narrow temperature rangetemperature range

How water waves are How water waves are formedformed

The winds cause waves on the surface of the ocean. The wind transfers some of its energy to the water, through friction between the air molecules and the water molecules. Stronger winds (like storm surges) cause larger waves. http://

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Water wavesWater wavesThere are two types of wave motion, There are two types of wave motion, longitudinal (particle displacement is longitudinal (particle displacement is parallel to the direction of the wave) and parallel to the direction of the wave) and transverse (particle displacement is transverse (particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction of the perpendicular to the direction of the wave), and water waves are a combination wave), and water waves are a combination of both. As a wave travels through the of both. As a wave travels through the waver, the particles travel in waver, the particles travel in clockwise clockwise circlescircles. The radius of the circles decreases . The radius of the circles decreases as the depth into the water increases. as the depth into the water increases.

Simulation of Water Waves http://www.kettering.edu

Tsunamis

Tsunamis can be created by underwater earthquakes (usually plate subduction), underwater volcanic eruptions, a submarine rockslide, and, very rarely, an asteroid or a meteoroid crashing into the water. The vast majority of tsunamis are caused by underwater earthquakes. However, the magnitude of the earthquake must be at least 6.75 on the Richter Scale in order for it to cause a tsunami.

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Tsunami FormationTsunami Formation

In general, tsunamis have extremely In general, tsunamis have extremely long wavelengths, as great as seven long wavelengths, as great as seven hundred miles in between crests. The hundred miles in between crests. The period (length of time between two period (length of time between two waves) can also be very large. In waves) can also be very large. In deep water, it can as long as an hour. deep water, it can as long as an hour.

Tsunamis are also very fast moving. Tsunamis are also very fast moving. They can travel in excess of 970 kph They can travel in excess of 970 kph (600 mph) while in the open ocean. (600 mph) while in the open ocean. When it begins to reach the coast, it When it begins to reach the coast, it slows down to between 30 and 200 slows down to between 30 and 200 mph.mph.

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When tsunami waves approach land, the ocean becomes increasingly more shallow. As the troughs of each wave hits the ocean floor, it slows the wave down, decreases the wavelength, and increases the amplitude of the wave. At landfall, the height of the wave can be as much as hundreds of meters tall.

In addition to the waves themselves, the tsunamis push a large amount of water on the shoreline far above the regular sea level http://

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Microsoft Encarta

Comparison of water waves

Normal waves (waves caused by the wind) are drastically different than tsunami waves. Tsunami waves are far faster with a much longer wavelength than waves caused by winds. In the deep sea, tsunami waves are very small and virtually indistinguishable from regular waves, but as they approach shorelines, the tsunami waves are substantially larger than wind-induced waves. http://

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