Tsunamis
What is a tsunami?
A series of large ocean waves caused by the sudden displacement of water.
What is plate tectonics?
The theory that Earth’s lithosphere is divided into moving plates.
What is the outermost layer of Earth?
The crust
What is energy?
The ability to do work or cause change.
What is subduction?
When one tectonic plate sinks beneath another.
What usually causes a tsunami?
An underwater earthquake near a plate boundary.
What is a plate boundary?
A location where two tectonic plates meet.
What layer lies directly beneath the crust?
The mantle
What is convection?
The transfer of heat through the movement of material.
How are plate tectonics and tsunamis connected?
Movement of tectonic plates can cause earthquakes that generate tsunamis.
Why do tsunami waves become more dangerous near shore?
They slow down, increase in height, and concentrate their energy.
What happens at a convergent boundary?
Two plates move toward each other and may collide.
What is the lithosphere?
The rigid layer made up of the crust and upper mantle.
What happens to warm material during convection?
It rises because it is less dense.
What is the core mainly made of?
Iron and nickel.
How could a boat end up on top of a building after a tsunami?
The wave’s energy can lift and carry heavy objects far inland.
What happens at a divergent boundary?
Two plates move apart, creating new crust.
What is the asthenosphere?
The soft, flowing layer beneath the lithosphere.
What happens to cool material during convection?
It sinks because it is more dense.
What ocean experiences the most tsunamis?
Pacific Ocean
What process causes tsunami waves to grow taller in shallow water?
Wave shoaling.
What happens at a transform boundary?
Plates slide past one another, often causing earthquakes.
How do temperature and density change as you move toward Earth’s core?
Both temperature and density increase.
How do convection currents affect tectonic plates?
They help drive the movement of the plates.
Why are subduction zones important in tsunami formation?
They often produce powerful earthquakes that displace water.