Tsunamis are fast-moving waves often generated by underwater earthquakes. In the

Question

Tsunamis are fast-moving waves often generated by underwater earthquakes. In the deep ocean their amplitude is barely noticable, but upon reaching shore, they can rise up to the astonishing height of a six-story building. One tsunami, generated off the Aleutian islands in Alaska, had a wavelength of 866 km and traveled a distance of 3000 km in 6.09 h. (a) What was the speed (in m/s) of the wave? For reference, the speed of a 747 jetliner is about 250 m/s. Find the wave's (b) frequency and (c) period.

Explanation / Answer

a. Speed = distance/time = 3000km/6.09h = 3000*103m / (6.09*3600s) = 136.83m/s

b. Wave equation: Speed = frequency x wavelength
frequency = speed/wavelength = 136.83m/s / 866*103m = 1.58*10-4Hz

c. the period of any wave is resiprocal of frequancy

period = T =1/f = 1/1.58*10-4Hz = 6.329*103sec

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