OCE Chapter 8 Tsunami Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How are tsunamis generated?

Through displacement of the seafloor under water (correct)

Through displacement of the seafloor above water

Through creation of the seafloor under water

Through creation of the seafloor above water

What is a tsunami?

A series of water waves that travel away from a fault in all directions at high speed (correct)

A series of water waves that travel toward a fault in all directions at low speed

A series of water waves that travel toward a fault in all directions at high speed

A series of water waves that travel away from a fault in all directions at low speed

Why do ships at sea tend not to notice tsunamis?

Tsunamis in deep water have small wave height and long wavelength. (correct)

Tsunamis in deep water have small wave height and short wavelength.

Tsunamis in deep water have large wave height and short wavelength.

Tsunamis in deep water have large wave height and long wavelength.

Why does the wave height of a tsunami increase as the tsunami enters shallow water?

In shallow water, the energy of the tsunami must be contained within a smaller water column. Signup and view all the answers

What type of plate boundary are most tsunamis associated with?

Convergent plate boundaries Signup and view all the answers

Which ocean is associated with most tsunamis?

Pacific Ocean Signup and view all the answers

Will Sumatra experience another tsunami like the destructive one of December 2004?

This is likely, because Sumatra is near many ocean trenches. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Tsunami Generation

Tsunamis are generated through the displacement of the seafloor underwater.
This displacement can occur due to seismic activity or volcanic eruptions.

Definition of Tsunami

A tsunami consists of a series of water waves that travel away from a fault in all directions at high speed.
These waves can travel across entire ocean basins.

Ships and Tsunami Detection

Ships at sea typically do not notice tsunamis because, in deep water, tsunamis have small wave height and long wavelength.
This characteristic allows deep-water tsunamis to pass unnoticed beneath vessels.

Wave Height Increase in Shallow Water

As a tsunami approaches shallow water, the wave height increases because the energy must be contained within a smaller water column.
This leads to more destructive waves impacting coastlines.

Plate Boundaries and Tsunamis

Most tsunamis are associated with convergent plate boundaries, where tectonic plates collide and cause seismic events.

Oceanic Association

The Pacific Ocean is the ocean most commonly associated with tsunamis due to the presence of subduction zones and tectonic activity.

Future Tsunami Risk for Sumatra

Sumatra is likely to experience another tsunami similar to the catastrophic event of December 2004, as it is located near several ocean trenches.

Description

Dive into the key concepts of tsunamis with these interactive flashcards based on Oceanography Chapter 8. Test your knowledge on how tsunamis are generated and their definitions in a fun and engaging way.