Michael E. BaronMichael E. Baron

Grade Level: 6-8Grade Level: 6-8

Duration: 1 class periodDuration: 1 class period

National Geography National Geography StandardsStandards

ELEMENT FIVE: ENVIRONMENT AND ELEMENT FIVE: ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETYSOCIETY

15. How physical systems affect human 15. How physical systems affect human systems.systems.

Arizona GeographyArizona Geography

Strand 4 Strand 4

CONCEPT 1CONCEPT 1

World in Spatial TermsWorld in Spatial Terms

GRADE 6, 7, and 8GRADE 6, 7, and 8PO 1 Construct maps, charts, and graphs PO 1 Construct maps, charts, and graphs

to display geographic informationto display geographic information

PO 3 Interpret maps, charts, and PO 3 Interpret maps, charts, and geographic databases using geographic geographic databases using geographic Information.Information.

Arizona GeographyArizona Geography

CONCEPT 3 CONCEPT 3

Physical Systems Science Strand 3 Physical Systems Science Strand 3

Concept 1Concept 1

GRADE 6GRADE 6Evaluate the effects of, and describe how Evaluate the effects of, and describe how

people plan for and respond to natural people plan for and respond to natural disasters.disasters.

Arizona Math StandardArizona Math Standard

STRAND 4 Geometry and STRAND 4 Geometry and MeasurementMeasurement

CONCEPT 4 MeasurementCONCEPT 4 Measurement

GRADE 6GRADE 6PO 3 Determine a linear measurement to PO 3 Determine a linear measurement to

the appropriate degree of accuracythe appropriate degree of accuracy

GRADE 7GRADE 7PO 2 Measure to appropriate degree of PO 2 Measure to appropriate degree of

accuracyaccuracy

Arizona Math StandardArizona Math Standard

GRADE 8GRADE 8PO 6 Solve problems using ratios and PO 6 Solve problems using ratios and

proportions given the scale factorproportions given the scale factor

Strand 1 Number Sense and Strand 1 Number Sense and OperationsOperations

Concept 2 Numerical OperationsConcept 2 Numerical Operations

Grade 8Grade 8PO 2 Solve word problems using grade PO 2 Solve word problems using grade

level appropriate operations and numberslevel appropriate operations and numbers

Tsunami: The Long Tsunami: The Long JourneyJourney

OverviewOverviewTsunamis are triggered by Tsunamis are triggered by earthquakes or earthquakes or underwater landslides and underwater landslides and can travel rapidly across can travel rapidly across even the largest bodies of even the largest bodies of water. Protecting humans water. Protecting humans living along the coast living along the coast requires accurate requires accurate prediction of the expected prediction of the expected arrival of the wave (among arrival of the wave (among other factors). In this other factors). In this lesson, students will lesson, students will determine the length of determine the length of time for the arrival of a time for the arrival of a wave from a given point.wave from a given point.

PurposePurposeUsing simple math and Using simple math and geography skills geography skills students will determine students will determine how long it will take for how long it will take for a tsunami to arrive at a a tsunami to arrive at a given point on a coast.given point on a coast.

MaterialsMaterials

• World map or student atlas World map or student atlas

• Student Worksheet Student Worksheet

• Ruler Ruler

ObjectiveObjective

The students will be able to The students will be able to accurately calculate the length of accurately calculate the length of time between a tsunami-causing time between a tsunami-causing event and the arrival of the event and the arrival of the tsunami at a coastal pointtsunami at a coastal point

Background InformationBackground Information

Tsunami is the currently accepted Tsunami is the currently accepted term for the oftentimes very term for the oftentimes very destructive ocean waves that were destructive ocean waves that were formerly known as “tidal waves.” That formerly known as “tidal waves.” That term was dropped in 1963 because the term was dropped in 1963 because the phenomenon has nothing to do with phenomenon has nothing to do with tides. Tsunami is a Japanese word that tides. Tsunami is a Japanese word that means ”harbor wave”--which, means ”harbor wave”--which, unfortunately, is hardly an unfortunately, is hardly an improvement over the former term. improvement over the former term.

Background InformationBackground InformationTsunamis are generated by earthquakes, plate Tsunamis are generated by earthquakes, plate movements, volcanic eruptions, underwater movements, volcanic eruptions, underwater landslides, and even asteroid impacts. Imagine landslides, and even asteroid impacts. Imagine lifting one side of a shallow basin of water several lifting one side of a shallow basin of water several inches. Dropping the basin would be analogous to inches. Dropping the basin would be analogous to an earthquake and some of the other events. The an earthquake and some of the other events. The resulting wave action would correspond to the resulting wave action would correspond to the reaction of the water in the basin. The speed of a reaction of the water in the basin. The speed of a tsunami depends on the depth of the water, being tsunami depends on the depth of the water, being fastest in deep water and slower in shallow water fastest in deep water and slower in shallow water (such as when passing over shallow areas or when (such as when passing over shallow areas or when approaching shore). A tsunami in very deep waters approaching shore). A tsunami in very deep waters may reach 600 miles per hour. The average speed may reach 600 miles per hour. The average speed for the Pacific Ocean is thought to be about 440 for the Pacific Ocean is thought to be about 440 miles per hour. But to keep calculations simpler we miles per hour. But to keep calculations simpler we will use a speed of 500 miles per hour in this lesson. will use a speed of 500 miles per hour in this lesson. This figure is often used in the literature. This figure is often used in the literature.

Background InformationBackground Information

As a tsunami approaches shore and slows to As a tsunami approaches shore and slows to an estimated 30 miles an hour, the height of an estimated 30 miles an hour, the height of the wave increases rapidly. The size of the the wave increases rapidly. The size of the waves generated by tsunamis varies with the waves generated by tsunamis varies with the strength of the event, but can range between strength of the event, but can range between 5 and 15 meters in height when they reach 5 and 15 meters in height when they reach shore. It's difficult to overestimate the power shore. It's difficult to overestimate the power of a wall of water moving at 30 miles per of a wall of water moving at 30 miles per hour, especially when augmented with debris hour, especially when augmented with debris being swept along with the wave. The being swept along with the wave. The pressure on a building can exceed millions pressure on a building can exceed millions of pounds. of pounds.

Background InformationBackground Information

The wavelength of a tsunami may reach 100 The wavelength of a tsunami may reach 100 miles or more. The pressure of a tsunami miles or more. The pressure of a tsunami passing through an area extends all the way passing through an area extends all the way to the bottom of the deepest oceans. This is to the bottom of the deepest oceans. This is the basis for the tsunami warning systems, the basis for the tsunami warning systems, which utilize pressure sensors on or near which utilize pressure sensors on or near the bottom, to detect passing waves. the bottom, to detect passing waves.

The size of the wave out in open ocean may The size of the wave out in open ocean may be as little as a few inches or feet over the be as little as a few inches or feet over the course of minutes or even hours and ships course of minutes or even hours and ships may not even note its passing.may not even note its passing.

Background InformationBackground InformationCoastal areas are always most at risk, but in areas of low Coastal areas are always most at risk, but in areas of low topography (such as Florida and many islands), this risk can topography (such as Florida and many islands), this risk can extend far into the interior. The highest elevation in Florida, for extend far into the interior. The highest elevation in Florida, for example, is only 105 meters above sea level. One of the dangers of example, is only 105 meters above sea level. One of the dangers of tsunamis is that they are often followed by a second or third tsunamis is that they are often followed by a second or third wave. Before the first wave and between subsequent waves, the wave. Before the first wave and between subsequent waves, the water may withdraw far out to sea, luring people to venture into water may withdraw far out to sea, luring people to venture into the exposed shoreline or lulling people into a false sense of the exposed shoreline or lulling people into a false sense of security, only to be hit by a second or third wave. Indeed, this security, only to be hit by a second or third wave. Indeed, this sudden withdrawal of water should be used as a serious warning sudden withdrawal of water should be used as a serious warning sign of an impending tsunami. A few mega-tsunamis have been sign of an impending tsunami. A few mega-tsunamis have been postulated that would have generated waves of perhaps 200 postulated that would have generated waves of perhaps 200 meters height or more. One potentially very worrisome event meters height or more. One potentially very worrisome event could involve the collapse of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the could involve the collapse of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the western side of the Canary Island of La Palma. One scientist for western side of the Canary Island of La Palma. One scientist for the USGS has calculated that 100 cubic miles of material could the USGS has calculated that 100 cubic miles of material could slide into the Atlantic at a speed of up to 200 miles per hour. This slide into the Atlantic at a speed of up to 200 miles per hour. This could devastate much of the East Coast of the U.S. and Caribbean could devastate much of the East Coast of the U.S. and Caribbean with waves of 40 feet and up to 300 feet on the nearby coast of with waves of 40 feet and up to 300 feet on the nearby coast of Africa. This last appears to have happened 500,000 years ago and Africa. This last appears to have happened 500,000 years ago and is thought by some to be likely in the not so distant geologic is thought by some to be likely in the not so distant geologic future. future.

Background InformationBackground Information

In the December 26, 2004 tsunami originating off In the December 26, 2004 tsunami originating off the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, the tsunami was the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, the tsunami was triggered by a 9.0 scale earthquake as the Indian triggered by a 9.0 scale earthquake as the Indian Plate was subducted (pulled under) the Burma Plate, Plate was subducted (pulled under) the Burma Plate, moving the island of Sumatra an estimated 66 feet moving the island of Sumatra an estimated 66 feet and lifting the edge of the overlying Burma Plate by and lifting the edge of the overlying Burma Plate by 15 feet. 15 feet.

An interesting fact is that the tsunami generated by An interesting fact is that the tsunami generated by the 1883 blast at Krakatoa (in what is now the 1883 blast at Krakatoa (in what is now Indonesia) was phenomenally destructive in the Indonesia) was phenomenally destructive in the immediate area, but propagated all the way across immediate area, but propagated all the way across the Indian Ocean, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, the Indian Ocean, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and was detected all the way to Atlantic France, and was detected all the way to Atlantic France, albeit in a much reduced height.albeit in a much reduced height.

ProceduresProcedures

For grades 6-7: For grades 6-7: 1. Students will measure the distance from 1. Students will measure the distance from

the indicated tsunami generating sites (for the indicated tsunami generating sites (for example, A1) to the indicated coastal areas example, A1) to the indicated coastal areas (for example, A2) using the scale on the (for example, A2) using the scale on the map. For this age group, I recommend map. For this age group, I recommend having the students trace the scale on a having the students trace the scale on a small piece of paper and use it to measure. small piece of paper and use it to measure.

2. Calculate the length of time for the first 2. Calculate the length of time for the first wave to arrive at the coast by dividing the wave to arrive at the coast by dividing the distance by an average speed of 500 miles distance by an average speed of 500 miles per hour and enter the number of hours on per hour and enter the number of hours on the student worksheet.the student worksheet.

ProceduresProceduresFor grade 8:For grade 8:1. Since students in this grade level are learning about 1. Since students in this grade level are learning about

ratios, they can measure the distance between A1 and ratios, they can measure the distance between A1 and A2 on a ruler. Note: Because printers size the maps A2 on a ruler. Note: Because printers size the maps according to their settings, the teacher will need to according to their settings, the teacher will need to do the calculations based on the maps that are do the calculations based on the maps that are printed for the students. On the map I printed, 1 printed for the students. On the map I printed, 1 inch might equal 925 miles. On a map you print, 1 inch might equal 925 miles. On a map you print, 1 inch might equal a few more or less miles due to inch might equal a few more or less miles due to printer settings. printer settings.

2. Students will then multiply the number of inches 2. Students will then multiply the number of inches (rounded to .25) by the amount of miles per inch. (rounded to .25) by the amount of miles per inch.

3. Students will then divide the distance by an average 3. Students will then divide the distance by an average speed of 500 miles per hour and enter the number of speed of 500 miles per hour and enter the number of hours on the student worksheet. hours on the student worksheet.

AssessmentAssessment

Students will be assessed using Students will be assessed using the student worksheet. Students the student worksheet. Students will be able to successfully will be able to successfully calculate travel times for tsunamis calculate travel times for tsunamis within a reasonable margin of within a reasonable margin of error with 80% or higher as seen error with 80% or higher as seen as mastery. as mastery.

ExtensionsExtensions

1. Research various aspects of the recent 1. Research various aspects of the recent December 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami December 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean. in the Indian Ocean.

2. Research historic tsunami events. These 2. Research historic tsunami events. These might include the 1883 Krakatoa, the 1946 might include the 1883 Krakatoa, the 1946 Hilo (Hawai'i), the 1964 Anchorage, the Hilo (Hawai'i), the 1964 Anchorage, the 1998 New Guinea tsunamis, and the 1700 1998 New Guinea tsunamis, and the 1700 tsunami along the Pacific Northwest coast. tsunami along the Pacific Northwest coast.

3. Research warning systems, current zoning, 3. Research warning systems, current zoning, evacuation and other regulations for evacuation and other regulations for tsunami preparedness. tsunami preparedness.

ExtensionsExtensions

4. Research innovative architectural 4. Research innovative architectural techniques for building in tsunami techniques for building in tsunami prone areas prone areas

5. If desired, students may use the 5. If desired, students may use the results of the lesson to calculate, results of the lesson to calculate, given the time and location of a given the time and location of a tsunami generating event, when that tsunami generating event, when that tsunami would actually arrive at any tsunami would actually arrive at any given point, taking into consideration given point, taking into consideration the different time zones. the different time zones.

SourcesSources

These sites give some good background These sites give some good background information on tsunamis: information on tsunamis:

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/DailyNews/tshttp://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/DailyNews/tsunami010123.htmlunami010123.html

http://armageddononline.tripod.com/tsunamis.htm http://armageddononline.tripod.com/tsunamis.htm

http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/hoover/tsunamis/ http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/hoover/tsunamis/

http://www.fema.gov/hazards/tsunamis/tsunami.shtm http://www.fema.gov/hazards/tsunamis/tsunami.shtm

http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tsunami/Faq/x006_speed http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tsunami/Faq/x006_speed

http://www.tsunami.org/faq.htm http://www.tsunami.org/faq.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunamihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunami