1 / 10

TSUNAMI NOTES

TSUNAMI NOTES

Anshu8
Download Presentation

TSUNAMI NOTES

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. TSUNAMI

  2. Definition and Characteristics • Causes • Characteristics • Impacts • Notable Tsunamis • Preparedness and Response • Conclusion

  3. Introduction • Tsunamis are large sea waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, usually in an ocean or a large lake. They are sometimes mistakenly referred to as "tidal waves," but they are not related to tides.

  4. Causes • Undersea Earthquakes: • Mechanism: Most tsunamis are caused by seismic activity where tectonic plates collide, causing an earthquake. The vertical displacement of the sea floor lifts or drops a massive amount of water. • Example: The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, which had a magnitude of 9.1-9.3, caused one of the deadliest tsunamis in history. • Volcanic Eruptions: • Mechanism: Volcanic activity, particularly the explosive eruption of underwater volcanoes, can displace water and create tsunamis. • Example: The eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 caused a massive tsunami with waves up to 40 meters (131 feet) high. • Landslides: • Mechanism: Coastal and submarine landslides can displace large amounts of water, generating tsunamis. • Example: The 1958 Lituya Bay megatsunami in Alaska was caused by a landslide triggered by an earthquake, resulting in a wave reaching 524 meters (1,720 feet). • Meteorite Impacts: • Mechanism: Rare but possible, large meteorites striking the ocean can generate massive waves. • Example: Hypothetical models suggest that large asteroid impacts in ancient times could have created massive tsunamis.

  5. Characteristics • Wave Speed: • Tsunami waves can travel at speeds of 500-800 kilometers per hour (310-500 miles per hour) in deep water. • Wave Height: • In the open ocean, tsunami waves have small amplitudes (wave heights) but can grow significantly as they approach shallow coastal areas, often exceeding 30 meters (98 feet). • Wavelength: • The distance between successive wave crests can be over 100 kilometers (62 miles), making them difficult to detect in the open ocean. • Multiple Waves: • Tsunamis consist of a series of waves that can arrive minutes to hours apart, with the first wave not necessarily being the largest.

  6. Impacts • Coastal Destruction: • Tsunamis can cause extensive damage to coastal infrastructure, homes, and natural environments. • Example: The 2011 Tōhoku tsunami in Japan destroyed entire coastal towns and infrastructure. • Flooding: • The inundation of coastal areas can lead to severe flooding, contaminating freshwater sources and destroying crops. • Loss of Life: • The sudden and powerful nature of tsunamis can lead to high casualty rates, especially in densely populated coastal regions. • Example: The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami resulted in over 230,000 deaths across 14 countries. • Economic Impact: • The economic cost of rebuilding and the disruption of livelihoods can be substantial. • Example: The economic cost of the 2011 Japan tsunami is estimated to be around $235 billion.

  7. Notable Tsunamis • 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: • Triggered by a 9.1-9.3 magnitude earthquake. • Affected 14 countries, causing over 230,000 deaths. • Massive international humanitarian response. • 2011 Tōhoku Tsunami: • Caused by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Japan. • Led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster and significant loss of life and property.

  8. Preparedness and Response • Early Warning Systems: • Seismic monitoring and ocean buoys help detect potential tsunamis and issue warnings. • Example: The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System (IOTWS). • Evacuation Plans: • Coastal communities often have evacuation routes and plans to move residents to higher ground quickly. • Education and Drills: • Public awareness campaigns and regular drills ensure people know how to respond to tsunami warnings.

  9. Conclusion Nature and Impact: Tsunamis are one of the most destructive natural disasters due to their sudden onset and the vast areas they can impact. Preparedness: Understanding the causes and characteristics of tsunamis, along with effective preparedness and response strategies, is crucial in mitigating their devastating effects.

  10. Thank you!

More Related