Students should understand the basic of a tsunami and how they are generated. This demonstration is designed to support and augment that understanding.

This demonstration can be used at any time in an earth science class, though is particularly useful when discussing tsunamis and early warning. This activity needs 5- 15minutes, depending on questions and extensions into an activity about tsunami preparedness.

• A tsunami is a large wave of water that can cause destruction to coastal communities.
• Tsunamis are generated by earthquakes that happen underwater.
• Scientists can detect tsunami waves before they reach land using GPS installed on buoys in the ocean.
• GPS instruments can be used to warn people of an incoming tsunami.
• Earthquake early warning systems use the same principles as tsunami early warning systems.

Tsunami Early Warning Demonstration Write-up (Acrobat (PDF) 52kB Nov12 21)
Tsunami Detection Buoy Locations (Acrobat (PDF) 1.5MB Nov12 21)

A full video of the Tsunami Early Warning Demonstration can be found on the UNAVCO YouTube channel.

• NOAA National Data Buoy Center
• NOAA National Data Buoy Center's DART program