tsunamis Danae Kakava B’1

Information about tsunamis A tsunami, also known as a seismic sea wave, is a series of waves in a water body caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, generally in an ocean or a large lake. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other underwater explosions, landslides, glacier calvings, meteorite impacts and other disturbances above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami.

A drawback A typical wave period for a damaging tsunami is about 12 minutes. This means that if the drawback phase is the first part of the wave to arrive, the sea will recede, with areas well below sea level exposed after 3 minutes. During the next 6 minutes the tsunami wave trough builds into a ridge, and during this time the sea is filled in and destruction occurs on land. During the next 6 minutes, the tsunami wave changes from a ridge to a trough, causing flood waters to drain and drawback to occur again. This may sweep victims and debris some distance from land. The process repeats as the next wave arrives.

What to do during a tsunami People can survive only if they immediately run for high ground or seek the upper floors of nearby buildings. Do not go near the shore to watch a tsunami hit. If you can see it, you are too close to escape. Stay collected and listen for warnings or instructions from local officials.

A before and after photo from the Japan Tsunami in 2011

Death One of the biggest and worst effects of a tsunami is the cost to human life because unfortunately escaping a tsunami is nearly impossible. Thousands of people are killed by tsunamis. Since 1850 alone, tsunamis have been responsible for the loss of more than 430,000 lives. There is very little warning before a tsunamis hits land. As the water rushes toward land, it leaves very little time to map an escape plan.

Most famous tsunamis Sumatra, Indonesia in 2004 caused by an 9.1 magnitude earthquake North Pacific Coast, Japan in 2011 by an 9.0 magnitude earthquake Lisbon, Portugal in 1755 by an 8.5 magnitude earthquake Krakatau, Indonesia in 1883 by an explosion of the Krakatau caldera volcano

E-references https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/get-ready/tsunamisafe/what-to-do-in-a-tsunami https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunami#Characteristics http://www.sms-tsunami-warning.com/pages/tsunami-effects#.WJOlUFWLTIV https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/tsnms-drng-en.aspx

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