Discuss a how a tsunami is formed, how it behaves in the open ocean, and how it behaves when it contacts the shore. Include its physical characteristics, travel speed and pattern, and nature of impact with land
What will be an ideal response?
A tsunami is a series of waves generated by a large undersea disturbance, such as earthquakes, submarine landslides, volcanic eruptions, or meteorite impacts in the ocean. Tsunamis generally exceed 100 km (60 mi) in wavelength, but are only a meter (3 ft.) or so in height. They travel at great speeds in the open ocean water (600-800 kph (375-500 mph). As the tsunami approaches a coast, the increasingly shallow water forces the wavelength to shorten, resulting in an increased wave height (15 m (50 ft) sometimes).
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The ultimate cause of tectonic plate motion is the
A) second law of thermodynamics. B) tendency for heat to spread out. C) escape of heat from Earth's interior. D) all of the above
Which of the following is an example of an ionic solid?
A) diamond B) dry ice C) sodium D) sodium chloride
Temperature is a measure of the
A. the total kinetic energy in a substance. B. kinetic energy in a substance. C. average translational kinetic energy of molecules. D. average molecular energies in a substance.
How does the existence of densely-packed cities help preserve wilderness and rural areas?
A) The people of the wilderness form a barrier against urban dwellers and their ilk in a savage ongoing battle that spans time itself. B) Cities tend to be separated from rural areas by roads and waterways. C) Pollution is largely an urban phenomenon, so it tends to occur only near large cities, not rural areas. D) The fact that populations are unevenly distributed across the face of the Earth allows for areas that are basically empty to exist.