Geohazard Tsunamis

Geohazard Tsunamis

What is a geohazard?

Effects of a Tsunami

A geohazard is any natural hazard that is caused by the Earth.

What can we do to minimize destruction?

Warning signs and predictions by scientists

What is a tsunami?

Tsunamis also have devastating effects on insects, animals, plants, and natural resources. A tsunami changes the landscape. It uproots trees and plants and destroys animal habitats such as nesting sites for birds.

Although a tsunami cannot be prevented, the effect of a tsunami can be reduced through community preparedness, timely warnings, and effective response.

A tsunami with a high amount of energy and water often leads to major descrution of objects and buildings.

One of the worst effects of a tsunami is the cost of human life. It's nearly impossible to escape a tsunami.

Tsunami waves may also run into sewage and fresh drinking water. Flooding and contamination of this water can cause disease to spread in the tsunami hit areas.

An earthquake is a natural tsunami warning. If you feel a strong quake do not stay in a place where you are exposed to a tsunami. An approaching tsunami is sometimes preceded by a noticeable fall or rise in the water level.

A tsunami is an unusually large sea wave produced by a seaquake or undersea volcanic eruption.

Citations

When in coastal areas, stay aleart for tsunami warnings and plan an evacuation route that leads to higher ground.

Know the warning signs of a tsunami: rapidly rising and falling waters and offshore earthquakes.

Tsunamis also come in series of waves. Do not return to an affected coastal area until authorieties say its safe.

What scientists use to predict tsunamis

Current Tsunamis

What causes a tsunami?

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"Tsunamis: The Effects." SMS Tsunami Warning. Virtuasoft Corp, 2015. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.

"Tsunamis: Killer Waves." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 2015. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.

"Tsunami Facts: How They Form, Warning Signs, and Safety Tips." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 2015. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.

"Japan Quake Caused Surprisingly Severe Soil Collapse." Livescience. Livescience, 2015. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.

"Catching a Tsunami in the Act." PBS. PBS Online, 2015. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.

"Tsunami Event." National Centers for Environmental Information. NOAA, 2015. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.

"Tsunami Safety Tips." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 2015. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.

The foundation of tsunami warnings systems is the seismometer. When officials detect a large, shallow earthquake under the ocean, they issue a warning. There are also sensors that sit on the seafloor and detect the feathery touch of a tsunami passing overhead.

Tsunamis are generated by an abrupt movement on the ocean floor that can result from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or underwater landslides.

One current tsunami is the tsunami Central Chilie. Occurring on September 16th, 2015, it resulted in 13 deaths, 6 missing, 15 major injuries, and between $5 to $25 million dollars in damage including over 2000 houses destroyed.

Another current tsunami is the tsunami Santa Cruz Islands located in the Solomon Islands. This tsunami occured February 6th, 2013. This tsunami lead to 10 deaths and 15 injuries. A total of 588 houses were destroyed and 478 houses damaged.

Liquidification

Where are tsunamis located?

Scientists estimate that eighty percent of tsunamis occur in the Pacific Ocean, near or in the "Ring of Fire."

Ex- Alaska, Chile, Philippines, Japan, etc.

Liquidification occurs near coastlines. It is when tsunamis and earthquakes can make the wet, sandy soil shake, turning it temporarily from a solid to a liquid state. Heavy sand and rock sinks, while water and lighter sand bubble to the surface. The slurry spreads, often toward the water, and the surface shifts.

Why are tsunamis common in the Ring of Fire?

Tsunamis are active in and around the Ring of Fire because it is a geologically active area where tectonic shifts make volcanoes and earthquakes common. Tsunamis may also be caused by underwater landslides or volcanic eruptions.