EPS 80 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Pyroclastic Flow, Wave Height, Coastal Erosion

• School: Berkeley
• Department: Earth And Planetary Science
• Course: EPS 80
• Professor: Hassler Scott

Document Summary

Tsunami (surface waves)- a series of anomalously large ocean surface waves: periods of 10 minutes to 2 hours, much longer period, wavelengths of 100-500km, larger waves, speeds of 800-1000km per hour, very fast, whole water column in motion. Waves breaks as they enter shallow water, ~ wavelength. In other words, the tsunami is going to break offshore because it will feel the bottom sooner. Wave height increases as it nears shallow water. Tsunami transport energy across ocean basins very efficiently (24:15) What causes tsunamis: extraterrestrial impact, a big impact on ocean may cause tsunamis. Shallow focus: depth below the ocean floor surface (when focus is nearer to the earth"s surface, more displacement, more energy transfer. Tsunamis cause damage via erosion, transportation and deposition (57:50) Beach sand can end up kms inland loose material, like hotels, people, boats, cars, can be damaged and transported, causing damage and impact on structures.