Tsunamis
How do Tsunamis affect our world?
Tsunamis are enormous and powerful sources of destruction. They are gigantic waves of water which are usually triggered by movements of tectonic plates and volcanic eruptions. The word Tsunami comes from the Japanese word ‘Tsu’ meaning harbour and ‘nami’ meaning wave. They occur most frequently in the Pacific Ocean. Nowadays, Tsunamis are recorded using seismographs. One of the deadliest tsunamis is the Chilean Tsunami.
How Tsunamis Happen
A Tsunami is caused by large amounts of seawater being disturbed. Let’s say, an undersea earthquake might push up a large piece of the seabed, causing the water above it to shift. Also, landslides and rubble might plunge into Retrieved from http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/tsunami
the sea causing the seawater to move in all kinds of directions, producing disastrous waves. Experts believe that out in the ocean, tsunami waves aren’t very high. Tsunami waves in the deep ocean usually raise and lower the water level by 1 meter or less. These low tsunami waves, however, move rapidly, traveling at up to 970 kilometres per hour. However, a Tsunami wave can be 30 meters in height which is as high as a 10 story building. This is
evident in the text “Tsunamis and Seiches” (World book, 2009, p.2). Therefore, these unexpected waves can be found in common places such as cities, areas around.
The Ring of Fire
Where Tsunamis are most likely to happen
Tsunamis occur most frequently at the Pacific Ocean, because that region consists of numerous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The Bureau of Meteorology states that Retrieved from http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects
Tsunamis which are formed in the Pacific Ocean, affect the coastlines of many countries, including Chile, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines, and Japan. Tsunamis can also occur in the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.
In fact, they can happen in any large mass of water. One particular source explains that four out of every 5 Tsunamis that happen occur in the region called the Ring of Fire. This region is also a part of the Pacific Ocean, which has some of the most active tectonic plates in the world. If a major earthquake happens here it will definitely be strong enough to Seismograph cause a tsunami. However, countless of modern technology is being operated to record Tsunamis.
How and who records Tsunamis
Nowadays, specialized machines named seismographs are used to
Retrieved from http://earthsci.org/educ
measure and record tsunamis before they react. These technical instruments are programmed to pinpoint where the Tsunami is going to occur and the movement of the tectonic plates that is there. However, many scientists clarify that seismographs are not 100% accurate due to the event that took place in Java, Indonesia, July 2006. “Many
geologists confirmed that the seismograph will save Indonesia from this terrible Tsunami, however they were proved wrong.” indicated Christopher Rogan, Assistant Chief of National Relief Centers, Indonesia. Many believe that in the future, further new devices will be generated for us to survive these natural catastrophes. Yet, numerous tsunamis, have demolished incalculable towns and suburbs in our world.
The Chilean Tsunami
On February 27th 2010, Valparaiso, Chile, was shaken by a devastating tsunami. This Tsunami was caused by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake. The tsunami was triggered 34 minutes after the earthquake had come to a stop. The USGS explained that unfortunately, numerous buildings and houses were demolished and many tragic lives were lost. This was evident from the website, National Oceanic Atmospheric Association. Therefore, Tsunamis are the most destructive and robust sources of nature which severely affect our world.
Tsunamis are omnipotent and invincible calamities that take place frequently in our world. They are triggered by movements of tectonic plates and other unnatural disruptions. These tsunamis are mostly common around the Ring of Fire, constructing colossal waves and scattering them out. At the present time, seismographs are used to record and pinpoint these immensely large waves. One of the most traumatizing and infamous tsunamis took place in Chile forthcoming doom to all. Can you stop a Tsunami?
Glossary
Tectonic plates – Large amounts of rock which form the Earth’s outer surface.
Volcanic Eruptions – A mountain that has a large opening at the top which contains lava and hot liquid rock. Whenever these mountains let’s out the lava, it’s called a volcanic eruption.
Rubble – mounts of rock, dirt and bricks from wrecked buildings that has been destroyed or damaged.
Rapidly – meaning quickly and fast.
Earthquake – the Earth’s surface shaking violently.
Seismographs – specialised machines to record the movements of tectonic plates.
Geologists – a scientist who studies the Earth, and the history of rock, soil and minerals.
Magnitude – a way of telling the size of an earthquake.
Bibliography www.sciencekids.co.nz
Science for Kids. “Earth Facts, Tsunami Facts.” May 9th, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/?_sm_au_=iVVJDF7rJsMjV1FF. Retrieved on May 2014.
www.usgs.gov.au
USGS. “Earthquakes Hazard Programme, Significant Earthquakes.” 28th Jan, 2014. Retrieved on http://www.usgs.gov.au/?_sm_au_=iVVJDF7rJsMjV1FF. Retrieved on May 2014.
www.universetoday.com
Universe Today. “Where do Tsunamis Happen, Earthquake spawns Tsunamis.” May 30th, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.universetoday.com/?_sm_au_=iVVJDF7rJsMjV1FF. Retrieved on May 2014.
http://www.tsunami.noaa.gov/
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. “Tsunami, Warnings and Hazards.” March 27th, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.tsunami.noaa.gov/?_sm_au_=iVVJDF7rJsMjV1FF. Retrieved on May 2014.
Tsunamis & Seiches
World Book. Tsunamis & Seiches, Chicago: World Book Pub. 2009. Retrieved on May 2014.
