Tsunami caused by the earthquake.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of tsunamis caused by earthquakes, specifically focusing on the sequence of events during a tsunami, including the initial water recession and subsequent wave formation. Participants explore the mechanics of how earthquakes influence ocean water movement and the characteristics of tsunami waves.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why the water recedes for an extended period (10 minutes) after an earthquake and speculates on the mechanics of the initial wave and subsequent water movement.
  • Another participant suggests that the initial recession of water is due to the ocean "welling" upwards over the earthquake area, affecting nearby coastlines differently than those further away.
  • A participant shares a link to a graphic illustrating the varying heights of waves produced by a significant earthquake, indicating that multiple waves are generated.
  • There is a suggestion that the tsunami behaves like any other wave, with both trough and crest propagating together, although the effects are less noticeable at greater distances from the epicenter.
  • Links to external resources are provided for further information on how earthquakes generate tsunamis.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying interpretations of the tsunami formation process and the effects of distance from the epicenter on water recession. There is no consensus on the exact mechanics of the phenomenon, and multiple viewpoints are presented.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific interpretations of tsunami mechanics and may not account for all variables involved in tsunami formation. The discussion reflects differing understandings of the phenomenon based on initial reports and personal interpretations.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the mechanics of tsunamis, earthquake effects on oceanography, and those seeking resources for further exploration of these topics may find this discussion beneficial.

MatSci
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I was reading in the newspaper and saw that it said that there was first an initial tidal wave, then the water receded for 10 minutes, then the big wave came crashing ashore. I was just trying to think on why the water would recede for so long, being 10 minutes. When the earthquake takes place how exactly does it effect the water? Does it first give an outward push causing the small wave then cave back in causing the water to recede and all of the water that receded rush back outward?
 
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MatSci said:
I was reading in the newspaper and saw that it said that there was first an initial tidal wave, then the water receded for 10 minutes, then the big wave came crashing ashore. I was just trying to think on why the water would recede for so long, being 10 minutes. When the earthquake takes place how exactly does it effect the water? Does it first give an outward push causing the small wave then cave back in causing the water to recede and all of the water that receded rush back outward?

I actually thought this through in the first instance of when I seen the first report, early (uk) boxing day morning. The BBC report showed a graphic image of Tsunami, shoreline's close to the epicentre would experience a rapid tidal receeding effect.

This was caused by the ocean 'welling' upwards over the earthquake area, enough to cause closeby tides to receed, but coastlines that were far away had no receeding effect.

At least that is how I read the early reports?
 
Anyone can answer this? Or maybe send some sites on how earthquakes form tsunamis?
 
Wow, I heard that on the news, but thought nothing of it, that's REALLY interesting... ohh I just thought of an explanation:
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:2004_Indonesia_Tsunami.gif )
Many waves of varying heights were produced by the 9.0 earthquake, as shown in the computer generation taken from NOAA.
 
Wave's_Hand_Particle said:
This was caused by the ocean 'welling' upwards over the earthquake area, enough to cause closeby tides to receed, but coastlines that were far away had no receeding effect.

At least that is how I read the early reports?
That "welling up" is the tsunami itself - and since the tsunami is just like any other wave, it has a trough like any other wave - and both propagate together. Its less noticeable (and much, much smaller, of course) but every ocean wave works exacly the same way. When you're at the beach and see the water pulled toward a coming wave, it really is being pulled toward the coming wave - its not just that the previous wave is receeding.

Coastlines further away had less of a receeding effet because the tsunami was much smaller further away.
 
Nice links Tom, thanks.
 

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