Teacher: Iulia Pacu

Students: Adriana Bumbacaru, Anca Stoica, Maria Iordache, Ioana Oancea

Class: IX F1

A tsunami is a series of ocean waves caused by an underwater earthquake, or volcanic eruption. More rarely, a tsunami can be generated by a giant meteor impact with the ocean. About 80% of tsunamis happen within the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire.” The first wave of a tsunami is usually not the strongest, successive waves get bigger and stronger. The states in the U.S. at greatest risk for tsunamis are Hawaii, Alaska,

Washington, Oregon, and California.  

“The Ring Of Fire “

HOW A TSUNAMI IS FORMED

THREE OF THE STRONGEST TSUNAMIS THAT HAVE EVER BEEN

1. The 1964 Alaskan earthquake, also known as the Great Alaskan earthquake and Good Friday earthquake happened in central Alaska. Lasting four minutes and thirty-eight seconds, it was the most powerful recorded megathrust earthquake in U.S. and North American history. It had a moment magnitude of 9.2, making it the third strongest earthquake in recorded history. Twenty people died from the tsunami and property damage was estimate at about 311million dollars. There were hundreds of aftershocks in the first weeks following the main shock.

2. Tsunami of Spirit Lake, Washington (1980). It had a moment magnitude of 7,8. The lake was a tourist spot for many people and a boating place for others. But on Thursday, May 18, 1980, Mt. St. Helens erupted, changing everything because Mt. St. Helens’ eruption created a mega tsunami. After the eruption, the lake was ten percent smaller and much shallower. It contained highly toxic water with volcanic ash mixed in. The water still left in Spirit Lake was 32 degrees a much warmer temperature than it was before the eruption.

3. Tsunami of Hawaii. It had a moment magnitude of 7,4. Hawaii is always at great risk for a tsunami – they get about 1 per year and a severe one every 7 years. The biggest tsunami that occurred Hawaii happened in 1946, the coast of Hilo Island was hit with 30 ft waves. The tsunami inundated areas up to a half a mile inland in some locations. A total of 159 people were killed as a result of the tsunami in Hawaii . The tsunami damaged several boats and structures along the waterfront, and caused an estimated 150million dollars in damage. Also, there were some pleople killed in that tsunami .

SOME THING YOU SHOULD DO IN CASE OF TSUNAMI

1 . If you are caught by a tsunami wave, it is better not to swim, but rather to grab a floating object and allow the current to carry you. Tsunamis retain their energy, meaning they can travel across entire oceans with limited energy loss.

2. Practice your evacuation routes. Familiarity may save your life. Be able to follow your escape route at night and during inclement weather.

3. Take your emergency preparedness kit. Having supplies will make you more comfortable during the tsunami .

4. Get to higher ground as far inland as possible. Watching a tsunami could put you in grave danger. If you can see the wave, you are too close to escape it.