ACTIVITY ACTIVITY

TSUNAMI PROPAGATION TSUNAMI PROPAGATION

OBJECTIVE: To calculate approximate speeds and travel times for OBJECTIVE: To calculate approximate speeds and travel times for
sample tsunamis. sample tsunamis.

Materials: Paper, calculator and pencil/pen Materials: Paper, calculator and pencil/pen

SCENARIO: SCENARIO:

A few minutes ago, a big earthquake magnitude 8 occurred
220 km directly east of Tokyo. Bulging and uplift of the seabed was
reported and it triggered the generation of tsunami waves. As tsunami
waves from a distant source will not strike the eastern seacoast of the
Philippines right away. You are given ample time to estimate the arrival
time of tsunami waves take off the coast of Japan.
A few minutes ago, a big earthquake magnitude 8 occurred
220 km directly east of Tokyo. Bulging and uplift of the seabed was
reported and it triggered the generation of tsunami waves. As tsunami
waves from a distant source will not strike the eastern seacoast of the
Philippines right away. You are given ample time to estimate the arrival
time of tsunami waves take off the coast of Japan.

TSUNAMI speed propagation is expressed as v=(gb)1/2 TSUNAMI speed propagation is expressed as v=(gb)1/2

Where: b = depth of the ocean Where: b = depth of the ocean

g=acceleration due to gravity 9.8 m/s2 g=acceleration due to gravity 9.8 m/s2

SPEED OF TSUNAMI v=d/t SPEED OF TSUNAMI v=d/t

v=velocity v=velocity

d=distance d=distance

t=time t=time

PROCEDURE: PROCEDURE:

1. If the depth of the ocean is 4.2 km, what is the speed 5. If the depth of the ocean is 4.2 km, what is the speed
propagation of the tsunami? propagation of the tsunami?

2. Determine the time the tsunami takes to travel just off the 6. Determine the time the tsunami takes to travel just off the
coast in the following: coast in the following:
a. Hawaii 5 600 000 meters away from a. Hawaii 5 600 000 meters away from
Japan Japan
b. San Francisco 7 828 500 meters away from Japan b. San Francisco 7 828 500 meters away from Japan
c. Mussau Island(Papua New Guinea)4 352 000 m away from c. Mussau Island(Papua New Guinea)4 352 000 m away from
Japan Japan
3. Record your estimates in a table and determine which of the 3. Record your estimates in a table and determine which of the
following place will be the tsunami strikes first and which is following place will be the tsunami strikes first and which is
last. last.

4. Each group is required to choose a spokesperson to present 4. Each group is required to choose a spokesperson to present
the findings and the following questions: the findings and the following questions:

a. Suggest ways to prepare for the coming of a tsunami.

a. Suggest ways to prepare for the coming of a tsunami.
b. At what time, will the tsunami strike the northernmost
Pacific facing coast of Luzon?
c. Is there enough time to warn the people who are living on
these shores?
d. Why was the PTWC developed?
e. If a tsunami was generated by an earthquake just off the
coast of Philippines near the Philippine trench, how much
time will be available for the people living along the coast
to seek higher ground? Do we have to wait for a warning
statement from agencies concerned? Do you consider the
occurrence of a big earthquake as a natural warning?
b. At what time, will the tsunami strike the northernmost
Pacific facing coast of Luzon?
c. Is there enough time to warn the people who are living on
these shores?
d. Why was the PTWC developed?
e. If a tsunami was generated by an earthquake just off the
coast of Philippines near the Philippine trench, how much
time will be available for the people living along the coast
to seek higher ground? Do we have to wait for a warning
statement from agencies concerned? Do you consider the
occurrence of a big earthquake as a natural warning?