Tsunamis
Rare and Mysterious Natural Disasters
Introduction: On December 26, 2004 the coastal areas of South-East Asia and Africa were hit with a tsunami. This rare and mysterious natural disaster began deep beneath the Indian Ocean. A 9.0 magnitude earthquake occurring in the Indian Ocean triggered a massive tsunami that destroyed coastal areas of 11 countries. This was the worst tsunami ever recorded.
Task: Your job is to gather information on tsunamis, explain how a tsunami is formed, what can happen as a result of a tsunami, and describe in detail the tsunami that occurred in South-East Asia and the effects it had on Thailand. You will use the Internet to gather information to answer questions to demonstrate your knowledge of tsunamis.
Process:
Step 1: Read through the questions listed below.
Step 2: Explore each of the websites listed in the resources section. Use the information you find at the websites to answer the questions on your Tsunami WebQuest~ Research Packet.
Click here to download the Tsunami WebQuest ~ Research Packet pdf.
Section 1: Facts and Background Information
- What is a tsunami?
- What does the word tsunami mean?
- How do tsunamis form?
- Where do most tsunamis happen?
- How fast do tsunamis move?
Resources:
Section 1: Facts & Background Information
National Geographic Kids ~ What is a Tsunami?
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/9610/kwave/
PBS Savage Earth ~ Tsunami – Facts
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageearth/tsunami/index.html
Enchanted
Learning ~Tsunami – Facts
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/tsunami/index.shtml
Section 2: Maps and Impact Information
- Using the BBC interactive map as a guide, complete the table found on the Tsunami WebQuest ~ Research Packet.
Resources:
Section 2: Maps & Impact Information
BBC – Map - Information on Impact of tsunami on
Thailand
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/4126019.stm#Thailand
BBC- Map – Impact Information on Countries Hit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/4126019.stm
BBC - Trail of Destruction ~ Before and After Satellite Images http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/world/04/asia_quake/quake_maps/html/1.stm
Section 3: Tsunami Timing
7. Take a close look at the map below. Locate Banda Ateh, Indonesia (the Earthquake
Epicenter). Click on the word animation. Locate Banda Ateh, Indonesia on the
map that appears. Watch the time at the top of the map. How long did it take for
the tsunami to reach Banda Ateh?
Repeat the steps in question #7. Change the location to:
8. How long did it take the tsunami to reach Madras, India?
9. How long did it take the tsunami to reach Colombo, Sri Lanka?
Resources:
Section
3: Tsunami Timing
Animation With Time Lapse
http://ioc.unesco.org/itsu/templates/itsu/images/animation.gif
The most powerful earthquake in 40 years erupted under the Indian Ocean near
Sumatra on Dec. 26, 2004. It caused giant, deadly waves to crash ashore in
nearly a dozen countries, killing tens of thousands. Credit: NPR
Section 4: Tsunami Warning Systems
10. The Pacific Tsunami Warning System has a series of four events. List in numerical order the event name and write a brief description of the event using your own words.
Event 1:
Event 2:
Event 3:
Event 4:
Resources:
Section 4: Tsunami Warning Systems
BBC- Image and Guide to Pacific Tsunami Warning System
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4149201.stm#graphic
Additional Resources
BrainPop – Tsunami Movie
http://www.brainpop.com/science/theearthsystem/tsunami/
BBC- Animated Guide – How the Tsunami Happened http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/world/2004/asia_quake_disaster/default.stm
PBS Savage Earth - Tsunami Animation http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageearth/animations/tsunami/index.html
Tsunami Images with audio commentary
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4156329.stm
Extension Activities
Tsunami Wordsearch
http://www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/eqmaps/wordsearch.html