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Dec. 31, 2004 Many of us have followed the tragic news stories coming out of Asia after a devastating Tsunami hit last weekend. But do you know what a Tsunami is, how it is formed, or what causes a Tsunami? This article will answer those questions and more. In a nutshell Tsunami’s are a series of waves caused by a disturbance or deformation in the sea floor that has displaced vertical water columns. Explosions, volcanic eruptions, landslides, earthquakes, and meteoric impacts can cause Tsunami’s. (http://www.geophys.washington.edu) Tsunami’s can be associated with the water receding to extremely low levels which are considerably lower than mean low water levels and very shallow wave patterns. The onset of a Tsunami may be imperceptible in the middle of the ocean. These low rolling waves then build to longer waves that have longer durations than a normal wind generated wave might create. Tsunami waves are capable of traveling great distances in relatively short periods of time and devastation can be incredible at their point of impact as evidenced in Asia. The actual speed that a Tsunami can travel varies with the depth of the water. The deeper the water the faster they move. Thus, as they move into the shore or land mass they travel at slower speeds, but their height rises. (http://www.geophys.washington.edu) Vertical movement of the earth’s plates or faults, called subduction, displaces water and as gravity attempts to restore equilibrium to this disruption Tsunami’s are spawned. However, there is little time in many instances to warn those in the low lying coastal areas of this impending disaster or danger. Therefore, we (around the globe) need to work harder and more efficiently to detect and transmit time sensitive data that can spare unnecessary loss of lives and property damage due to these natural disasters. (http://www.geophys.washington.edu) The first recorded Tsunami was in 1906, San Francisco, CA. 1929 came next in Grand Banks, Alaska. Then, 1946 in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. 1952 in the Kamekatka Peninsula, USSR. 1957 again in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. 1960 Chile. 1964 Prince William Sound, Alaska. 1975 Hawaii. 1993 Asia. 1996 Andreanov. 1998 Papu, New Guinea. 1999 Vanuatu. 2001 Peru and El Salvador. 2003 Hokkaidu. 2004 Asia. (http://quake.usgu.gov, www.pmel.noaa.gov ) Reference: http://www.geophys.washington.edu http://quake.usgu.gov www.pmel.noaa.gov ------------ About the author: Michelle Malsbury was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. She attended Parkland College and the University of Illinois before graduating from the University of Phoenix with her degree in Business Management. Currently she is working on her master’s degree in Organizational Management while concurrently pursuing her lofty writing ambitions. Ms. Malsbury moved to south Florida in 1983 and resides between the Keys and Apalachicola, allowing her to experience the seasonal fluctuations between the southernmost and nearly northernmost beauty in the state of Florida. Travels have taken her from Europe through the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and across much of the United States. Michelle has been a bartender, real estate agent, flight attendant, beauty contestant, yacht broker, and commodities broker over the years, but writing is her passion. She enjoys outdoor activities like sailing, waterskiing, hiking, bike riding, working out, and fishing as well as reading, music, theatre, playing with her two amusing pets (Abu Chez, her 6 year old Australian Blue Heeler and Zack, her two year old yellow tabby cat) and writing. Michelle is a regular featured author on the web site Useless-Knowledge.com and enjoys exchanging points of view with her comrades there. “Three Years With Adonis” is the first to be published of several books that she has written and will be available early, to mid, 2005. In addition to “Three Years With Adonis”, she has authored four other books and three screenplays while continuing to explore all that life hands her. Email Michelle Malsbury: abuchez@mchsi.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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