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 732 km and traveled a distance of 3650 km in 4.59 hours.
(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

Okay so for (a),

To find the speed = distance / time = 3650km / 4.59h = 795 km/h
and
795km/h = 795000m / 3600 s = 221 m/s

for (b),
frequency is speed / wavelength = 221 m/s / 732000m = 3.02*10^-4 Hz = 302 micro Hz

for (c), since
period = 1 / frequency =1 / 302 micro Hz ===> 3311 seconds.

55 minutes 11 seconds

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