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 832 km and traveled a distance of 3760 km in 6.81 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

Given all these, (a) speed = distance travelled / time = 3760km / 6.81h = 552 km/h TO make a second, 552km/h = 552*1000m / 3600 s = 153 m/s (b) frequency = speed / wavelength = 153 m/s / 832000m = 1.84*10^-4 Hz which is 184 microHz (c) period = 1 / frequency ==> 5435 s = 1 hr 30 min 35 sec

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