tsunamis

tsunami basics

• Definition A large sea wave produced by a seaquake or underwater eruption. 
• This comes from the Japanese word "tsu" meaning harbor and "nami" (wave).
• A tsunami can be a series of waves. They start smaller and get bigger 
• Tsunami waves can be up to 100 feet in hight. 
• In deep water, tsunamis can travel up to 600 mph. 

problem  statement

• How can we keep people safe from tsunamis 
• In such a way that it is affordable,
• In such a way that it is reliable,
• And in such a way that it is safe for wildlife?

where do Tsunamis happen/ who do tsunamis effect

• Tsunamis happen off the coast of the ocean.
• 80% of all tsunamis happen within the "pacific ring of fire."
• People on the shorelines are effected by tsunamis.
• Countries are effected by the cost of the damage. 
• Towns get wiped out. 

Ring of fire

cause

• Global warming is the cause of this problem.
• Shift changes in the earth crust, sea quakes are causing tsunamis.
• Glaciers that are melting cause the shift changes in the ground
• Meteorites cause tsunamis. 
• Earthquakes are another cause of tsunamis.

Effect

• Thousands of people die.
•  There will be huge damage costs. 
• It takes a long time for towns to recover from the damage.
• Many ocean creatures will die.

past tsunamis

• December 26, 2004………….Sumatra, indoneisa
• May 3, 2006……………………...Tonga
• July 17, 2006…………………….Java
• April 2, 2007…………………….Solomon Islands
• July 15, 2009…………………….New Zealand 

past tsunamis (continued)

• February 28, 2010……………Chile
• March 11, 2011………………...Japan
• February 6, 2013………………..Solomon Islands 

when Tsunamis became A problem

• Ever since the earth was created, tsunamis have been a constant threat.
• Tsunamis are happening more frequently because of shift changes
• Global warming is causing shift changes in the earths crust.
• In the future, tsunamis will become more frequent because there will be
• even more shift changes in the earths crust due to global warming.

why should we care

• We need to care because of all the lives at stake.
• Businesses and towns will be devastated  
• Ocean animals could become extinct.

our solution

warning systems(part I)

• We will create warning sytems.
• They will detect a big wave and will send a warning to all smart phones. 
• Scientists will be involved in creating these warning systems.
• Warning people will let them know prior to the hit, so they can evacuate.
• Though it may not protect the cities, it will keep everyone safe.

WArning Systems (Part II)

• Creating warning systems will not take long since the technology exists. 
• Creating warning systems can start immediately, or when countries have 
• enough money. Creating them should only take a few months. 
• Warning systems are reliable, affordable, and will not harm wildlife.
• These will be placed in the ocean to detect seaquakes.

Pros of warning systems

• Pros: 
• If the seawall and vegetation fails,(our other solutions) 
• Then people should have evacuated because they knew 
• a tsunami was coming.
• Does not take as long to make as other solutions.

Cons of warning Systems

• Cons:
• Does not completely stop the tsunami.  
• They will not protect the city from destruction.

solution

VEgetation (Part I)

• We will plant vegetation. 
• We will plant it in shallow water and on shore.
• Planting vegitation will slow down the tsunami before it hits.
• An example of vegitation that we will plant will be mangrove trees.
• Mangrove trees have a very sturdy root system.

Vegetation (Part ii)

• Volunteers will plant the trees. 
• Trees will be pre-grown, so it will just take a few months to plant them.
• This can start immediately. 
• Vegetation will be reliable, will benefit wildlife, and is affordable.

Pros of vegetation

• Will prevent damage done by tsunamis
• Is not costly
• Will not take longer than a few months.
• Will not have to re-plant every time a tsunami 
• hits because roots are strong. 

Cons of vegetation

• Cons:
• Will not completely stop the tsunami, 
• It will only slow it down. 

Solution

Sea walls (part I)

• We will build a sea wall. 
• The sea wall will be slightly curved.
• The sea wall will be made out of cement.
• We will NOT  have to re-build the sea wall. 
• evry time a tsunami hits. 

seawalls (part II)

• Construction workers will build the sea wall. 
• It will be located on the shore.
• The seawall will start as soon as the government has enough money for it.
• Sea wall construction will take a few years. (3-5)
• Sea walls are reliable, maybe not affordable, and may effect wildlife.

Pros of seawalls

• Will slowdown/stop the tsunami more than vegetation.
• Could be used for sight seeing.

Cons of seawalls

• Sea level rise will be an issue for seawalls.
• Is very costly.
• You will have to climb an extra set of stairs to get to the ocean.
• Will effect view.
• May disrupt ocean wildlife.

Solutions and Problem Statement

• All of our solutions were reliable
• All solutions(except seawalls) were pretty affordable. 
• All solutions (except seawalls) did not disrupt wild life.

easybib

• Lyons, Steve. ""Tsunami"" The Weather Channel. 10 Feb. 2010. 15 Jan. 2014 .  
• Phillips, Campbell. "The 10 most destructive tsunamis in history." Australian Geographic. 16 Mar. 2011. 15 Jan. 2014 .  
• Phillips, Campbell. "The 10 most destructive tsunamis in history." Australian Geographic. 16 Mar. 2011. 15 Jan. 2014 .  
• "Tsunamis." National Geographic. 15 Jan. 2014 .  
• Jessa, Tega. "Effects of Tsunamis." Universe Today RSS. 6 Sept. 2009. 16 Jan. 2014 . 

easybib

• "NOAA's National Weather Service." Tsunami warning system 16 January 2014
• Jorguston, Ken. "How Far Inland Would A 300 Foot Tsunami Go On The East Coast?" Modern Survival Blog RSS. 12 Feb. 2013. 24 Jan. 2014 
• Bonar, Samantha. Tsunamis. Mankato, MN: Capstone High-Interest Books, 2002.
• "Dangerous Planet." ThinkQuest. Oracle Foundation. 15 Jan. 2014 .  
• Hamilton, John. Tsunamis. Edina, MN: Abdo Pub. Co., 2006.

easybib

• Leader, Jessica. "Climate Change And Tsunamis: Ice Melt May Cause Underwater Avalanches, Research Shows." The Huffington Post. 16 Aug. 2013. TheHuffingtonPost.com. 22 Jan. 2014 . 
• "Past Tsunami Events." Past Tsunami Events. 16 Jan. 2014 .  
• "Tsunami Facts and Information." Tsunami Facts and Information. 19 Jan. 2014 .