Question

A tsunami is a destructive, fast-moving ocean wave that is caused by an undersea earthquake,

landslide, or volcano. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is responsible for monitoring
earthquakes that could potentially cause tsunamis in the Pacific Ocean. Through measuring the
depth the earthquake occurs below sea level and calculating the speed of a tsunami, scientists
can predict the arrival times of tsunamis.
The speed s (in meters per second) at which a tsunami moves is determined by the depth d (in
meters) of the ocean and is given by the equation S = V10d.
23. Find the speed of a tsunami in a region of the ocean that is 4000 meters deep. Write the
result in simplified form and include units in answer.

Answer 1

Earthquakes of this magnitude are very unlikely to trigger a tsunami.

Explanation:

Although earthquake magnitude is one factor that affects tsunami generation, there are other important factors to consider. The earthquake must be a shallow marine event that displaces the seafloor. Thrust earthquakes (as opposed to strike slip) are far more likely to generate tsunamis, but small tsunamis have occurred in a few cases from large (i.e., > M8) strike-slip earthquakes.