Tsunami Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Tsunami - Research Paper ExampleWhen it reaches shore waters, they rise to form masses of moving water known as run-up. This phenomenon is really many feet high and its variation depends on the strength of striking waves (NOAA, 2009). Normal run-up height is about 30 meters high although there are rough extra high run-ups such as that witnessed in Alaska in 1958 which went up to 60 meters high. Run-up rush onto the sea shore and strikes the coastal areas with an intensive, destructive force. bulky earthquakes are able to send tsunami waves across oceans. For instance, recent earthquakes in both Japan and Chile send tsunami waves which struck Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, California, and Washington causing enormous losses of life and property. Water masses subjected to tsunami waves can take hours to regain stability hence tsunami effects can experienced repeatedly.Tsunami waves occur in phases called first, second and hitherto the third waves. First waves are always less destructive b ut the second and third may have catastrophic effect depending on the magnitude of causing forces and the position of origin (NOAA, 2009). Tsunamis have very long waves and crest to crest distance may be anywhere between 10 and 2500 kilometers. It travels finished the sea at a speed more than 700 km/h. A series of waves travel and arrive at the sea shore at an detachment of few minutes. In most cases, tsunami waves are not noticeable like normal sea waves and tides but it possess large amount of energy than other(a) waves. Due to its influence to entire water column, depth of water determines its force (Nelson, 2012). The long wavelengths make the first sign of tsunami waves at the sea shores to be a drawback.Tsunami is caused by submarine earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption or meteorites (CA, 2009). These causes have common characteristics because they occur suddenly and violently which make them to displace large amounts of water.