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 785 km and traveled a distance of 3340 km in 6.88 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

(a) speed = distance travelled / time = 3110km / 5.05h = 616 km/h 616km/h = 616*1000m / 3600 s = 171 m/s (b) frequency = speed / wavelength = 171 m/s / 757000m = 2.26*10^-4 Hz = 226 microHz (c) period = 1 / frequency = 4425 s = 1.23 h = 1 h 13 min 45 s

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