TSUNAMI

From the Japanese words tsu (harbor) and nami (waves) A TSUNAMI is a wave train, or series of waves, generated in a body of water by an impulsive disturbance that vertically displaces the water column. Tsunamis can savagely attack coastlines, causing devastating property damage and loss of life. Tsunamis are sometimes incorrectly called as TIDAL WAVES DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TSUNAMI AND TIDAL WAVE Tsunami is caused by underwater earthquake, displacing big amounts of water. A tsunami is a gigantic water wave that is the result of a sudden undersea motion possibly caused by an undersea landslide, earthquake, or volcanic eruption creating a huge wave 100f high or more. These waves can travel thousands of mile and crash into coastlines with catastrophic results. Tidal waves are up and down patterns on the surface of the water pulled by the moon and sun. A tidal wave is the result of the sun and moons constant gravitational pull on the ocean water on the earth. The result of the gravitational pull creates an ocean bulge on opposite sides of the earth. The bulge is the tidal wave that is constantly present on the earth. As the earth rotates it move into the tidal wave (bulge) so that at the ocean coast would experience high tide every (approximately) 12 hours. At the place between the ocean bulges the ocean coast would experience low tide. These occur daily without any threat of danger to people or property.

CAUSES OF TSUNAMI

Tsunamis occur when there is a sudden large displacement of water. There are three main causes of tsunamis: 1. SEISMIC ACTIVITY Seismic activity is the most common cause of tsunamis. Both tectonic and subduction earthquakes in and near the ocean may create tsunamis. During a TECTONIC EARTHQUAKE, the sea floor becomes deformed, forcing a displacement of water. In a SUBDUCTION EARTHQUAKE, tectonic plates slip under each other, creating a massive disturbance, also resulting in a significant displacement of water. HOW DO EARTHQUAKES GENERATE TSUNAMIS? Tsunamis can be generated when the sea floor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces the overlying water. Tectonic earthquakes are a particular kind of earthquake that are associated with the earth's crustal deformation; when these earthquakes occur beneath the sea, the water above the deformed area is displaced from its equilibrium position. Waves are formed as the displaced water mass, which acts under the influence of gravity, attempts to regain its 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. Plates interact along these boundaries called faults. Around the margins of the Pacific Ocean, for example, denser oceanic plates slip under continental plates in a process known as subduction.

2. SUBMARINE LANDSLIDES Submarine landslides can also cause tsunamis. Submarine landslides occur during earthquakes and the implosion of underwater volcanoes. The falling sediment and rock in these landslides can also trigger massive water movement, resulting in a tsunami. Volcanoes cause tsunamis when there is an eruption. The volcano can either be on land or under the sea, in which case it is known as a submarine volcano. If the volcanic eruption happens on land, the tsunami is caused by debris and lava from the volcano flowing into the sea, which once again causes a bug ripple. If the eruption happens under water, the enormous power of the eruption sends shudders through the earth and disrupts the water. The water in the sea then breaks into waves which travel across the ocean until they come into contact with a coast. Here, a tsunami is formed.

ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENT REPORT. esquivelazzej jefferson.miralles

3. COSMIC IMPACTS Cosmic impacts in the ocean are the least frequent cause of tsunamis. This is similar to throwing a rock into a pond, except on a much larger scale. When the rock hits the water, it creates small ripples of water moving away from the point of impact. In a cosmic impact, these ripples would instead be massive tsunamis, increasing in size as they near the shore. Example: Meteorites.

WHEN AND WHERE IS A TSUNAMI LIKELY TO OCCUR?

Most tsunami occurs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The boundary of the Pacific Ocean experiences frequent earthquakes. This boundary is commonly known as the Ring of Fire. Tsunamis occur most frequently in the Pacific, particularly along the "Pacific Ring of Fire". This zone is found at the northern edge of the Pacific Plate and refers to the geologically most active fields of the earth. Several times a year, strong earthquakes of at least 7 on the Richter scale result in tsunamis. Japan, for example, is hit by a tsunami at least once a year. From observations of scientists and historical sources, we know today that Tsunamis can occur in all larger seas of the world. Thus, fatal tsunamis occur in geologically less active oceans such as the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean or the Mediterranean as well. Great danger exists in densely populated areas or in vacation areas in which a tsunami can endanger millions of human lives. Indeed Tsunamis occur more seldom in for example the Mediterranean than in the Pacific Ocean, but that is exactly why one must not underestimate or minimize the danger. Looking back to the year 1755 one can see that the tsunami triggered by the earthquake off Lisbon is accountable for the majority of the 70 000 deaths.

1. TECTONIC Tectonic upthrust in the for, of earthquakes and ocean floor volcanoes cause vasr quantities of very short space of time, generating a massive amount of energy 2. BUILD The energy from the quake or impulse causes a train of simple, progressive oscillatory waves to propagate over the ocean surface in ever-widening circles at speeds as fast as 500mph 3. TRAVEL The wavelengths of the tsunami continue to grow, with the waves periods varying from five minutes to more than an hour. 4. APPROACH As the tsunami waves approach the coastline of a landmass they are slowed dramatically by the friction of their collision with the rising seabed. As the velocity lessens, however, the wavelengths become shortened and amplitude increases. 5. IMPACT Finally, with the wavelength compressed and heightened to large levels, the giant waves collide with the shore causing massive damage. The succeeding outflow of water then continues the destruction, uprooting trees and washing away people and property.

TOP 5 WORST TSUNAMIS IN HISTORY

#5 1707 Hoei Tsunami One of the many tsunamis in Japan's history, the Oct. 28, 1707, disaster was triggered by an 8.6-magnitude earthquake and has been studied in connection to the subsequent Fuji Volcano eruptions. Death toll: 30,000 #4. 1883 Krakatoa Tsunami The May 1883, the eruption of Indonesia's Krakatoa volcano destroyed two-thirds of the island nation and created 130-foot-high waves. Death toll: 36,000 #3. 1755 Lisbon Tsunami On All Saints Day 1755, the Portuguese city of Lisbon faced three earthquakes in a mere 10 minutes, leading to several tsunami waves nearly 100 feet high. Death toll: 100,000 to 200,000 #2. 1908 Messina Tsunami The Messina earthquake and the tsunami's 40-foot waves struck southern Italy on Dec. 28, 1908, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in European history. Death toll: 123,000 #1. 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami On Dec. 26, 2004, a 9.2-magnitude earthquake struck the west coast of Indonesia, generating a series of tsunamis leading to casualties in at least 14 countries with waves over 100 feet high. Death toll: 230,000

TSUNAMI IN THE PHILIPPINES

MARCH 11, 2011 The first tsunami wave arrived along the coastline of the city of San Vicente in the northern province of Cagayan at 6:00 pm local time. The wave was measured to have a height of 1.97 feet. The highest recorded tsunami wave was measured to be at a height of 2.30 feet. The wave was spotted along the coasts of Virac in the province of Catanduanes at 7:50pm local time.