M A S T E R P A G E
Seismic SeaWaves
Activity Sheet
2.4h
Name
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Date _____________________
Characteristics of a Seismic Sea Wave
Label the following characteristics and state the average values.
A Possible Tsunami Scenario
Imagine that a magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurs 1,625 km from a coastal town on a strike-slip fault in the ocean
floor, where the water is 3.8 km deep. A wave train is generated with a speed of 650 km/hr and wavelengths of
150 km. The National Tsunami Warning Center alerts the townspeople.
1. How long will it take the tsunami to hit the coastal town?
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2. The first wave hits at 2:00 p.m. Does Jen have time to rescue the boom box left on the beach before the next
wave hits? Calculate the period of the waves. (Period is wavelength divided by speed.)
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3. Describe what might happen when this seismic wave encounters the coastal town.
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4. What could be done to prepare for this tsunami?
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