Fukushima
Where did Fukushima occur?
Japan
What is a tsunami?
A long, high sea wave
Where do underwater earthquakes start?
Subduction zones or convergent plate boundaries
How are tsunamis detected?
Open-ocean buoys or coastal tide gauges
When did Fukushima occur?
April 7, 2011
What is the most common cause of tsunamis?
Underwater earthquakes
Why do underwater earthquakes cause tsunamis?
The sudden movement of the plates displaces the water, causing the wave to form
What do tide stations do?
Measure changes in sea level
How much damage was caused in USD?
$360 billion
In which part of the world do most tsunamis occur?
The Ring of Fire
What is a subduction zone?
An area at convergent plate boundaries where one plate is forced under the other
What do seismograph stations do?
Record earthquake activity
Approximately how many confirmed deaths were there?
15,899
What type of plate boundary do most tsunamis originate from?
Convergent plate boundaries
What causes an earthquake to form at a subduction zone?
Pressure caused by friction between the plates
About how fast can tsunamis travel?
500 miles (805 kilometers) an hour
What was the magnitude of Fukushima?
9.0
What happens to a tsunami as it gets closer to shore?
It slows down and grows larger
Which two tectonic plates did Fukushima involve?
The Pacific and Eurasian plates
How tall can tsunami waves become?
Around 100 feet, or 30 meters