Discuss the process of tsunami creation from an earthquake in an offshore region of a subduction zone. What are the key factors affecting the strength of the tsunami?
What will be an ideal response?
ANSWER: An earthquake on the subduction zone triggers a rapid vertical movement of one side of the fault. The motion can either be a rise or fall of the surface. The seawater above the earthquake is displaced upward or downward. Water flows in order to re-establish sea level, and the disturbance moves outward in all directions.
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The effect of the tsunami will be affected by the magnitude of the earthquake, the area of the rupture zone, the rate and volume of water displaced, and the depth of water above the rupture.
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