GG231 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Probabilistic Analysis Of Algorithms, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Subduction
Document Summary
A tsunami is a series of waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of water (typically in the ocean of large lake) Tsunami waves are much longer in wavelength then typical waves. Their wavelengths is 200 km compared to tens of meters of wind driven waves. Several types of events can trigger a tsunami, like large earthquakes, landslides, explosive volcanic eruptions, etc. , An earthquake can cause a tsunami by displacing the seafloor or the floor of the large lake, by triggering a large landslide. Displacement of sea floor is probably the most common of these mechanisms and occurs when a block of earth"s crust moves rapidly up or down during an earthquake. It takes an earthquake of magnitude 7. 5 or larger to generate a damaging tsunami. The upward or downward movement of the seafloor displaces the overlying water and initiates a four stage proves that culminates with the tsunami rushing ashore.
