Tsunamis

Question 1

what is a tsunami

Answer 1

a series of ocean waves suddenly surging onto land

Question 2

what does tsunami mean?

Answer 2

harbour wave

in Japanese

Question 3

what causes tsuanamis

Answer 3

large undersea earthquakes at destructive tectonic plate boundaries

Question 4

how does the underwater earthquake create a tsuanami

Answer 4

1. the ocean floor at a plate boundary rises or falls suddenly
2. the sea is suddenly pushed up creating rolling waves that build up in size and speed
3. the massive waves race across the ocean towards land
4. flooding the land

Question 5

where do most tsunamis happen

Answer 5

80% happen within the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire”

Question 6

how fast are tsunamis

Answer 6

up to 500 miles per hour

= jet plane

Question 7

what is the first warning sign a tsunami is coming

Answer 7

coastal water near the beach is sucked out to sea exposing sea floors and harbours

Question 8

after the water is sucked out, how long do you have before the tsunami hits the shore

Answer 8

5 minutes

Question 9

what should you do during those 5 minutes after the water is sucked out

Answer 9

run in the opposite direction to the sea

get to high ground

cling onto something like a tree

Question 10

what are the social impacts of a tsunami

Answer 10

1. death & injury
2. homes destroyed
3. food / water shortages
4. disease (sewage mxing with salt water)

Question 11

what are the economic impacts of a tsunami

Answer 11

1. Ports/harbours ruined
2. Fishing industry destroyed
3. Homes and businesses destroyed
4. Tourism industry ruined
5. roads, bridges and rail damaged

Question 12

what are the environmental impacts of a tsunami

Answer 12

1. crops destroyed
2. farmland ruined by salt water
3. coral reefs damaged