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Physics of Natural Disasters

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Physics of Natural Disasters: Tsunamis Abstract
This paper will be focusing on the physics generated from natural disasters. The specific natural disaster that will be focused on in this essay is tsunami waves. The paper will explain various ways that tsunamis may be generated which can even happen from the results of another natural disaster, the damage that tsunamis can cause as it hits land, and of course the physics in the tsunami’s waves relative to the damages. Most of the information for this paper will be taken from a study of the physics of tsunamis by the University of Washington, an explanation of the equations for tsunami waves and a few other sites mainly as visionary evidence. Formulas to better help understand the tsunamis and damage capabilities will be provided as well as photographic imagery so the formulas and information can be better related by actual visionary evidence of the tsunami and the destructive force that comes from the tsunami as contact is made with land. Photos will be numbered for reference through the essay and will appear in the end for reference. Tsunamis are one of the world’s most dangerous and a commonly formed natural disaster needing only a build up into a wall of water forced by other natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions. These cause the waves to become vertically displaced and they begin to form into much larger waves due to gravitational influence as the water attempts to find its equilibrium after being displaced. [2] There are various different ways that waves can become displaced through natural disasters and cosmic collisions, though natural disasters are much more commonly associated in the cause of tsunamis. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides are the disasters that are known to cause tidal waves to begin to form. The eruptions from volcanoes and landslides are usually always submarine disasters, meaning that they happen underwater. Generally the tsunamis caused by the volcanic activity and landslides tend to dissipate quicker than those caused by earthquakes (earthquakes can also influence landslides and volcanic activity to happen as well).[3]
Tsunamis tend to differ from other “typical” waves that are encountered near the shores that are generated from wind. The formula for wavelength of tsunami waves is different from that of other wavelengths. Tsunamis behave like shallow water waves until approaching the shore in with it then slows down, but increases in size due to the shoaling effect. The rate at which the wave loses its energy as it approaches is also inversely related to its wave length though they lose energy and speed on shore approach, tsunamis still generate so much energy and size that they always still tend to cause must devastation to the areas that they hit.[4]The equation λ=v/f determines wavelength where λ=the wave’s length, v=the velocity, and f=frequency. The equation in which the waves speed is determined for tsunamis is v ≈ √gb . Where v in this equation, is the wave’s speed, g is gravity (9.8m/s2), and b is the depth of the ocean. The equation for the wave shoaling effect is based on the amplitude at an inverse rate governed by Green’s law (A is proportional to 1/b1/4). All of these equations together will help determine the wave’s final impacting length and speed.
Natural disasters have long been a part of Earth and our understandings to how they happen and the magnitude of each disaster can be determined through science and physics. Tsunamis are a huge example in this where other natural disasters can influence the creation of tsunamis and it requires a multitude of equations to determine the effect of the wave further demonstrating the usefulness of physics in the world.

References
Geophys washington. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ess.washington.edu/tsunami/general/physics/physics.html Tao, T. (2011, March 13). The shallow water wave equation and tsunami propagation. Retrieved from http://terrytao.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/the-shallow-water-wave-equation-and-tsunami-propagation/
Pyle, R. (14/M). Tsunamis. Retrieved from http://tsun.sscc.ru/ [1] library.thinkquest.org. (2011, 9 14). Retrieved from http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/01424/how_are_tsunamis_formed.htm [2]
Is tsunami threat to u.s. west coast bigger than predicted?. (2005, December 27). Retrieved from http://skywatch-media.com/2005/12/is-tsunami-threat-to-us-west-coast.html [3]
DAILY MAIL REPORTER. (2011, March 12). The big pictures: The moment japan. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1365318/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-The-moment-mother-nature-engulfed-nation.html [4]

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