This data tip describes the science behind the tsunamis caused by the great earthquake of December 26, 2004, which caused catastrophic damage and loss of life throughout the Indian Ocean basin. The discussion centers on how tsunamis are generated and how great quakes and resulting tsunamis occur at subducting plate boundaries. Links to more detailed information are embedded in the text. An exercise ... Full description.

This resource discusses the relationship between earthquakes and tsunamis, and the connection between the shape of the ocean bottom and the height of the waves. The article is supported by an animation showing the origin and conclusion of a tsunami, a video interview with a tsunami survivor, and three photographs. There are two sidebars, called 'Catching a Tsunami in the Act' and 'Remembrance of Waves ... Full description.

A comprehensive list of federal, state, and international tsunami links and publications. Links are both internal and external and provide a wealth of information concerning tsunami causes, preparedness, prediction, effects, and more. Full description.

This interactive from NOVA Online shows how the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was triggered, how its waves traveled thousands of kilometers largely unchanged, and what happened once the waves reached coastlines both near and far from their source. Users can click on highlighted points on the map to see animations and written narrative describing the tsunami's effects. Full description.

A general introduction to tsunamis including information about the mechanisms of tsunami generation and propagation, the impact of tsunamis on humankind, and the Tsunami Warning System. Sections include information on what tsunami means, how earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions and meteorites generate tsunamis, and what happens when a tsunami approaches and encounters land. Also included is ... Full description.

Since the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004, scientists have tried to retrace the path of the giant waves to learn how and why the water moved in unexpected directions, even turning corners and producing simultaneous wavefronts coming from different directions. This radio broadcast describes efforts to measure the strength, distance traveled inland, and height of the tsunami, as well as mapping ... Full description.

In this activity, students study seismograms from three different seismic stations that recorded the magnitude 9.0 Sumatra earthquake of December 26, 2004. By comparing the arrival times of the P and S waves on each seismogram, they can determine the distance from the epicenter to each station and accurately map its location. Using this information, they also calculate the position of the quake-generated ... Full description.

This radio broadcast covers two topics- the massive undersea earthquake and tsunami that devastated coastal communities in much of Asia on December 26, 2004, and an update on the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. The tsunami segment discusses how tsunamis are created, what their effects are, and whether an effective system can be created to provide warning of these killer waves in the Indian Ocean, ... Full description.

This report contains true stories that illustrate how to survive (and how not to survive) a tsunami. It is meant for people who live, work, or play along coasts that tsunamis may strike. The stories are personal accounts selected from interviews with people who survived a Pacific Ocean tsunami generated by the magnitude 9.5 earthquake that occurred along the coast of Chile on May 22, 1960. Important ... Full description.

The Plymouth Wave Lab is a series of movies of waves on a string intended for middle school students. The reference material at the site explains the relationship between the behavior of the string in the six examples and the behavior of a tsunami. The December 26, 2004 tsunami that was generated from the M9.0 Sumatra earthquake has raised public awareness worldwide of the disastrous consequences ... Full description.