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 886 km and traveled a distance of 3770 km in 4.63 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) v = x/t = 3770e3/(4.63*60*60) = 226.18 = 226 m/s -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- b) f = v/lamda = 226.18/886e3 = 2.55 x 10^-4 Hz -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- c) T = 1/f = 1/2.25e-4 = 3920 s

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