Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Division of Davao City
Catalunan Pequeño National High School
Km. 12 Cat. Peq., Talomo District, Davao City

RESEARCH JOURNAL

Title: Tsunamis: Understanding and Mitigating the Impact

Tsunamis are gravity waves that propagate near the ocean surface. They
belong to the same family as common sea waves that we enjoy at the beach;
however, tsunamis are distinct in their mode of generation and in their
characteristic period, wavelength, and velocity. The type of tsunamis that induce
widespread damage number about one or two per decade. Thus “killer tsunamis”
although fearful, are a relatively rare phenomenon.

Until December of 2004, the phenomena of tsunami was not something on

the minds of most of us. That changed on the morning of December 24, 2004
when an earthquake of magnitude 9.1 occurred along the oceanic trench off the
coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. This large earthquake resulted in vertical
displacement of the sea floor and generated a tsunami that eventually killed
280,000 people and affected the lives of several million others. Although people
living on the coastline near the epicenter of the earthquake had little time or
warning of the approaching tsunami, those living farther away along the coasts of
Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, and East Africa had plenty of time to move to higher
ground and escape. But, there was no tsunami warning system in place in the
Indian Ocean, and although other tsunami warning centers attempted to provide
a warning, there was no effective communication system. Unfortunately, it has
taken a disaster of great magnitude to point out the failings of the world’s
scientific community and to educate almost every one about tsunami.

What is a Tsunami? The term tsunami comes from the Japanese

language meaning harbor (“tsu”) and wave (“nami”). Although in Japanese
tsunami is used for both the singular and plural, in English tsunamis is well-
established as the plural A tsunami is a very long-wavelength wave of water that
is generated by sudden displacement of the seafloor or disruption of any body of
standing water. They are sometimes called “seismic sea waves”, although, as we
will see, they can be generated by mechanisms other than earthquakes. Tsunami
have also been called “tidal waves”, but this term should not be used because
they are not in any way related to the tides of the Earth. Because tsunami occur
suddenly, often without warning, they are extremely dangerous to coastal
communities. The most important thing to be learned about tsunamis is that they
are waves. Specifically, they are water waves that form in the ocean caused by a
huge displacement of water in the ocean, where the depths of the water average
4 km. Displacement of water following a huge release of energy from, say, an
earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity or a cosmic body impact creates a
wave or a series of waves that have a wavelengths on the order of hundreds of
kilometers long. Although tsunamis usually have small amplitudes, the volume of
the water that gets displaced and the speeds reached by these waves allow them
to carry enough energy to wipe out towns and cities. A water wave is a
combination of both transverse and longitudinal waves. Some of the energy the
winds create is transferred to the water. This causes waves on the surface of the
ocean called storm waves or sea surges. These are wind-driven waves created
on top of normal tides, and are often caused by hurricanes and cyclones. They
reach 30–40 ft. in height, producing a constant pounding motion as opposed to
the tsunami’s characteristic single huge wave.

Tsunami warning systems have evolved significantly over the years to

become more sophisticated and efficient. The development of these systems
involves a combination of improved technology, international cooperation, and a
better understanding of the geological processes that trigger tsunamis. Here is
an overview of the key stages in the development of tsunami warning systems.
Tsunamis have been recorded for centuries, but early warning systems were
virtually non-existent. Communities living in coastal areas relied on natural signs,
such as the sudden receding of the sea, to indicate an impending tsunami. These
early warnings were often too late to save lives and property. The understanding
of the link between undersea earthquakes and tsunamis was a crucial step in the
development of warning systems. Seismometers and seafloor pressure sensors
are used to monitor seismic activity, enabling the rapid detection of undersea
earthquakes that may generate tsunamis. Tsunamis can affect multiple countries
and regions simultaneously, making international cooperation essential.
Organizations like the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and the Japan
Meteorological Agency (JMA) have been established to coordinate tsunami
monitoring and warnings on a regional and global scale due to past events.
Advancements in technology also led us to the development of brand new
technology, including satellite-based systems and global positioning systems
(GPS), has significantly improved the speed and accuracy of tsunami detection
and monitoring. These technologies help scientists and authorities quickly assess
the tsunami risk based on seismic and sea-level data.

Tsunamis can have devastating human tolls, causing loss of life and
injuries on a significant scale. The impact of a tsunami depends on various
factors, including its magnitude, depth, proximity to populated areas, warning
systems in place, and the preparedness of local communities. Examples are
explained in detail, 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: Occurred on December 26,
2004. Estimated death toll: Approximately 230,000 in 14 countries. Indonesia, Sri
Lanka, India, and Thailand were the hardest-hit countries. Tens of thousands of
people were injured. 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami (Japan): Occurred
on March 11, 2011.Death toll: Over 15,000 people killed. Thousands of injuries.
Extensive damage to coastal communities, including the Fukushima Daiichi
nuclear power plant disaster. 2018 Sulawesi Tsunami (Indonesia): Occurred on
September 28, 2018. Over 2,000 people killed. Thousands of injuries. Extensive
damage to the city of Palu. Additionally, the economic consequences of tsunamis
are multifaceted, encompassing immediate costs, rebuilding and recovery
expenses, and long-term economic impacts. These consequences underscore
 the importance of disaster preparedness, risk reduction measures, and
international cooperation in managing and mitigating the financial toll of
tsunamis.

In summary, not all major earthquakes cause tsunami, however many of

them do. If the quake is located near or directly under the ocean, the probability
of a tsunami increases. Tsunami can occur at any time, day or night. They can
travel up rivers and streams connected to oceans. The development of tsunami
warning systems is a dynamic and evolving process that involves the integration
of various technologies, international collaboration, public education, and
research. These systems are essential for minimizing the devastating impacts of
tsunamis on coastal communities. The economic consequences of tsunamis are
multifaceted, encompassing immediate costs, rebuilding and recovery expenses,
and long-term economic impacts. These consequences underscore the
importance of disaster preparedness, risk reduction measures, and international
cooperation in managing and mitigating the financial toll of tsunamis. Research
about tsunamis has wide-ranging implications for the safety and well-being of
coastal communities, the protection of the environment, and our ability to mitigate
the impact of these natural disasters. By advancing our understanding of
tsunamis and their associated risks, we can work towards a safer and more
resilient future for vulnerable regions.

References:
 W. Hereman et al.

A general physical approach to solitary wave construction from linear

solutions
Wave Motion
(1985)

 M.A. Helal
 Soliton solution of some nonlinear partial differential equations and its
applications in fluid mechanics
Chaos, Solitons & Fractals
(2002)

 A. Constantine et al.

Modelling tsunamis
J Phys A: Math Gen
(2006)

 Okal, E. A. (2017).

The economic and social consequences of tsunamis. In T. Titov & E. A. Okal

(Eds.), Tsunamis: 1992-2011 (pp. 103-129). Springer.

Submitted by:
Sean Ashley Cabrera

Section : 10-HONESTY

Submitted to:

GERALDINE I. BRITO, RN, LPT, MAEM

Science Teacher