When a Tsunami Strikes
- Travels at a speed that is related to the water depth
- Water depth decreases, the tsunami slows
- Tsunami's energy flux is dependent on both its wave speed and height
- It remains nearly constant
- As the tsunami's speed diminishes as it travels into shallower waters, its height grows
- As a tsunami approaches shore, it slows down and grows in height
- Lose energy as they rush onshore
- Part of the wave energy is reflected offshore
- Shoreward-propagating wave energy is dissipated through friction and turbulence
- Still reach the coast with a lot of energy
- Remove sand from the beaches that have taken years to accumulate
- Undermine trees and other coastal vegetation