The Origin of Tsunamis Troy Barone 5/15/15 Science Project Term 4

Tsunamis: What Are They? Tsunamis are WAVES caused by multiple things: sudden movement of the ocean from earthquakes, landslides on the sea floor, land collapsing into the ocean, large volcanic eruptions or a meteorite smashing into the ocean.

How Earthquakes Cause Tsunamis The most destructive tsunamis are generated from large, shallow earthquakes with an epicenter or fault line near or on the ocean floor. These usually occur in regions of the earth where tectonic plates collide and undermine one another along tectonic plate boundaries.

Where do Tsunamis Occur? Tsunamis occur most frequently in the Pacific, along the "Pacific Ring of Fire ". This zone is at the northern edge of the Pacific Plate. Several times a year, strong earthquakes of at least 7 (out of 10) on the Richter scale result in tsunamis.

When do Tsunamis occur? Tsunamis happen when earthquakes, landslides or volcanic eruptions disturb the ocean floor. When the ocean floor at the fault line, rises or falls, it moves the water above and creates the huge waves that become tsunamis. GET TO HIGH GROUND!!!!

California is at high risk for earthquakes because the land is along the San Andreas Fault. The earthquakes can cause Tsunamis. Watch this Trailer: 1G4BSyIos 1G4BSyIos

Escaping from a Tsunami Approximately 99% of all tsunami-related deaths have occurred within 160 miles of the place of the tsunami’s start and within 30 minutes of when the tsunami began. Anyone in a coastal area who feels a strong earthquake should take that as a warning that a tsunami may be coming and leave low-lying coastal areas and go to higher ground as quickly as possible. This can be the difference between life and death.

Facts about Tsunamis If caught by a tsunami wave, it is better not to swim, but rather to grab a floating object and allow the current to carry you. The states in the U.S. at greatest risk for tsunamis are Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California. Tsunamis can travel at speeds of about 500 miles an hour, almost as fast as a jet plane.

The Story of a Mega-Tsunami World's Tallest Tsunami A tsunami with a record run-up height of 1720 feet occurred in in Lituya Bay, Alaska in the 1950’s. Ljc Ljc

Reference fault.shtml fault.shtml about-tsunamis about-tsunamis tsunami/folger-text tsunami/folger-text Any Questions?????? Thank You!