John's got an excellent point here. In mid-ocean tsunamis have very long
wavelengths (measured in kilometers) and moderate amplitudes. As they
reach shoaling waters, the drag shortens their wavelengths considerably.
Due to the conservation of matter ("that water has to go somewhere") the
amplitudes increase dramatically. One can see this happening with normal
seas at the beach, but on a smaller scale.
http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/geol204/tsunami.htm
Jim
On 2011-04-07 1025, John M. Steele wrote:
This report says 2 m.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_japan_earthquake;_ylt=AlRShgj1.RS6oo7JjbA3KZOs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNqbmcyOGE0BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTEwNDA3L2FzX2phcGFuX2VhcnRocXVha2UEY2NvZGUDbW9zdHBvcHVsYXIEY3BvcwMyBHBvcwM3BHB0A2hvbWVfY29rZQRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawNtYWduaXR1ZGU3NGU-
The 50 cm might have been a deep water buoy observation. They are not
impressive in deep water, but when they run aground, it is a different
story. I'm not sure journalists understand well enough to distinguish
the difference -- I think I'd run.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* Nat Hager <[email protected]>
*To:* U.S. Metric Association <[email protected]>
*Cc:* Nat Hager <[email protected]>
*Sent:* Thu, April 7, 2011 11:03:19 AM
*Subject:* [USMA:50311] 50 cm Tsunami
Drudge right now is warning of a Tsunami 50 cm high:
http://www.drudgereport.com/
Think I’ll go back to sleep…
<g>
Nat
his report says 2 m.
--
James R. Frysinger
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