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

Question

Tsunamis are fast-moving waves often generated by large underwater earthquakes. In the deep ocean, their amplitude is barely noticeable, 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 767 km, and travelled a distance of 3890 km in 6.60 hours (note: this is given in decimal format, not as hours and minutes).
a) What is the speed of the wave? ______m/s
b) What is the period of the wave? ______s

Explanation / Answer

Distance travelled s=3890 km=3890000m

Time taken t= 6.6 hr =6.6×3600s=23760 s

A. Wave speed v =s/t = (3890000)/(23760)=163.72 m/s

B.period T = wavelength / speed =767×1000/(163.72) s=4684.8 second =1.3 hr

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